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Portrait of Courage

The Heiress

  • Credits

    By Ruth Goetz and
    Augustus Goetz

    Suggested by the
    Henry James Novel
    Washington Square

    Directed By
    Seema Sueko

  • Location

    The Fichandler Stage

“This is juicy high-toned melodrama.”

– Hollywood Reporter

The Heiress is generously sponsored by Barbara and Arthur BushkinDaniel Korengold and Martha Dippell and Ourisman and Ilene and Steven Rosenthal.

Finding one’s voice is never easy. Socially awkward and plain Catherine Sloper has struggled her entire life under the disapproving and resentful gaze of her father. It is the unexpected visit from a suitor full of sincerity and instantaneous devotion that awakens Catherine’s long abandoned hopes of true love and the opportunity for a fresh start. A devastating betrayal forces the scorned Catherine to learn how to roar, realize her truth and take control of her destiny.

The Heiress runs approximately two hours and 55 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.

Cast

LISE BRUNEAU

Mrs. Montgomery

LORENE CHESLEY

Marian Almond

LAURA C. HARRIS

Catherine Sloper

JANET HAYATSHAHI

Elizabeth Almond

JONATHAN DAVID MARTIN

Morris Townsend

NANCY ROBINETTE

Lavinia Penniman

KIMBERLY SCHRAF

Maria

JAMES WHALEN

Dr. Austin Sloper

NATHAN WHITMER

Arthur Townsend / The de Rhams’ Coachman

Creative

RUTH & AUGUSTUS GOETZ

Playwrights

SEEMA SUEKO

Director

MIKIKO SUZUKI MACADAMS

Set Designer

IVANIA STACK

Costume Designer

SHERRICE MOJGANI

Lighting Designer

EMMA WILK

Sound Designer & Original Music

ANNE NESMITH

Wig Designer

JAN GIST

Voice and Text Coach

SUSAN R. WHITE

Stage Manager

JOSEPH SMELSER

Replacement Stage Manager

MARNE ANDERSON

Assistant Stage Manager

Multimedia

"The Heiress" now playing at Arena Stage
First look at "The Heiress"
Deputy Artistic Director talks about "The Heiress"
Photo of Laura C. Harris and Jonathan David Martin C. Stanley Photography.
Photo of Janet Hayatshahi and James Whalen by C. Stanley Photography.
Photo of Laura C. Harris and James Whalen by C. Stanley Photography.
Photo of Jonathan David Martin and Nancy Robinette by C. Stanley Photography.
Photo of Laura C. Harris by C. Stanley Photography.
Photo of Laura C. Harris, Lorene Chesley and Kimberly Schraf by C. Stanley Photography.
Photo of Nancy Robinette by C. Stanley Photography.
Photo of Laura C. Harris (Catherine Sloper) by Tony Powell.
Photo of (L to R) James Whalen (Dr. Austin Sloper), Laura C. Harris (Catherine Sloper) and Jonathan David Martin (Morris Townsend) by Tony Powell.
Photo of Laura C. Harris (Catherine Sloper) by Tony Powell.
Photo of Laura C. Harris (Catherine Sloper) by Tony Powell.
Photo of (seated) Laura C. Harris (Catherine Sloper) and Jonathan David Martin (Morris Townsend) by Tony Powell.

In The News

WUSA9 - Great Day Washington

Costume design plays a major role in The Heiress

WUSA9 - Great Day Washington

Seema Sueko shares the background on this portrait of courage

WUSA9 - Great Day Washington

Lorene Chesley and James Whalen talk about the female empowerment in The Heiress

DC Metro Theater Arts

Nancy Robinette triumphs as Aunt Lavinia in The Heiress

The Southwester

Kimberly Schraf talks The Heiress

Washington Post

The Heiress named in top things to do this weekend

Georgetown Voice

The Heiress dissects the psyche of a woman on the verge

Maryland Theatre Guide

'A Quick 5' with Jonathan David Martin

Washington Post

Rich acting pays off in The Heiress, a surprisingly timely classic at Arena Stage

Brightest Young Things

From 1851 New York to a 2019 Stage: Behind the Scenes with Ivania Stack

Broadway World

First look at The Heiress at Arena Stage

DC Theatre Scene

Seema Sueko on directing the “revolutionary thriller of the heart”, The Heiress

Broadway World

Jonathan David Martin talks The Heiress and his life in theater

Washington Post

The Heiress mentioned in 12 things to do this week

Woman Around Town

Kimberly Schraf talks working as an actress, training others and The Heiress

Broadway World

The Heiress team celebrates their first rehearsal

Broadway World

Full cast and creative team announced for The Heiress

Washington Post

Arena Stage looks into history for inspiration in 2018/19 season

American Theatre Magazine

Arena’s 2018-19 Season to Feature New Tom Kitt/Nell Benjamin Musical

Playbill

The 69th lineup at the Washington, D.C. venue will also include the a cappella musical Jubilee and Junk.

Accessible Performances

Audio Described
Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.

Open Captioned
Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 8:00 p.m.

Events

Post-Show Discussions
Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at 12:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 7, 2019 at 8:00 p.m.

Program PDF

The Heiress program