Door Shakespeare Reading Series Begins with ‘Red Velvet’ Sept. 16

Door Shakespeare has announced the cast of Lolita Chakrabarti’s Red Velvet: the first play of the 2019-20 Door Shakespeare Reading Series.

Red Velvet tells the story of an 1833 London production of Othello starring Edmund Kean, one of the greatest actors of his generation. When he collapses during a performance, the theater manager brings in Ira Aldridge to take over the role of Othello. Aldridge is an African-American actor who has gone to Europe to act because he is not welcome on American stages. Though he performs the role of Othello successfully, the reactions of his fellow actors and critics are complex and divisive, and he is not allowed to finish his engagement.

The cast features DiMonte Henning, Michael Herold, Rayne Kleinofen, Jarrod Langwinski, Ellen Tree, Ryan Dean Maltz, Ken Miller, Malkia Stampley and Michael Stebbins.

Red Velvet will be performed Sept. 16, 7 pm, at the Woodwalk Gallery in Egg Harbor. The play-reading series is free, but donations are appreciated. Seating is first-come, first-served.