Anacostia Playhouse presents A Nite at the Dew Drop Inn
Directed by Stephawn Stephens
Music Direction by William Knowles
August 31- September 21
For tickets click here.
DC Theatre Scene Interview with Stephawn Stephens on working with castmate Jacquelyn Hawkins
DC Theatre Scene Reivew: “The blues take center stage during Anacostia Playhouse’s relentlessly engaging revue, A Nite at the Dew Drop Inn. For one all-too-brief night (the show flies by in about 75 minutes), six talented performers assemble, under the direction of Stephawn Stephens, to bring back to life a swanky historical New Orleans nightclub, known locally as “The Drop,” which welcomed all, catered particularly to African-American audiences during segregated times and, in its heyday, hosted everyone from Otis Redding to Ray Charles (Little Richard even wrote a song about the place)”
Let the good times roll as you experience a raunchy, raucous night of song filled with laughter, high jinks, and tears of joy. This fun-filled musical journey will take you on a ride of those Unforgettable moments of that first date, first kiss, the one that got away, or maybe the one you kicked to the curb! A Nite at the Dew Drop Inn is a musical celebration and tribute to the Juke Joint, to those iconic nightspots that were known for good food, music and maybe a little trouble (if you weren’t careful). This cabaret-style presentation highlights themes of love found, love lost and love renewed. It features songs made famous by Big Mama Thorton, Fats Waller, Etta James, and Dinah Washington, just to name a few.
About Stephawn Stephens
Stephawn P. Stephens has become a recognizable presence, as a local actor, singer, and director in the Metropolitan area theater scene. He is a native of Cleveland, Ohio and received his formal training at the Karamu House, Cleveland State University, majoring in English and Music Education and Bowie State University completing his studies in Musical Theater/Acting.
In his professional endeavors, Mr. Stephens has performed at several local and well-known venues such as Arena Stage, African Continuum Theater Company, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Ford’s Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Round House Theatre, Theater Alliance, Theater J, Signature Theatre and Woolly Mammoth. He has been a member of Actors Equity Association since 2004. He is currently the Lower School Music Teacher at Creative Minds International PCS.
Throughout his career, Mr. Stephens has developed his craft, gained invaluable knowledge and experience in theater and education. He believes in cultivating an atmosphere where undiscovered talent is trained and perfected. While building partnerships within the community through volunteering and his faithfulness to his church, Mr. Stephens has been touted by his peers as a “game changer”. He strives to help build and motivate cross-functional teams that exceed worldly expectations and marries passion to purpose
About William Knowles
William Knowles is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He attended Howard University and the
University of Massachusetts and now lives in Washington, DC. As a composer, arranger, music director
and pianist, he has worked at regional theaters around the country, including Dallas Theater Center,
Philadelphia Theatre Company, Arena Stage, Northlight (Chicago), CenterStage (Baltimore), Indiana
Repertory Theater, and the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, where he has performed in eight different
productions. He has received five Helen Hayes nominations for Musical Direction, winning twice.
Offstage he has released seven jazz CDs with music partner Mark Saltman. Their latest release is titled
Almost (SaltmanKnowles.com).
ON STAGE
Sherice Payne
Yvette Spears
Jacquelyn Hawkins
Marcel Worrell Miller
Robert Person
Rodni Williams
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION STAFF
Set Design: Megan Holden
Lighting Design: Willie J. Blakeney, Jr
Costume Design: Alison Johnson
Choreography: Rodni Williams
Stage Manager: Monica Cook
Production Manager: Rachel Walsh
Pianist: DeAndre Shaifer