Pictured: Ella Joyce and Marie Thomas in a pre-production photo courtesy of Goodman Theatre. 

Goodman Theatre has announced the cast and design team for the revival of  “Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years,” by Emily Mann.

Directed by Goodman Theatre Resident Director Chuck Smith, the production features Ella Joyce and Marie Thomas as the Delany centenarians, Bessie (1891 – 1995) and Sadie (1889 –1999), respectively.

The creative team includes Linda Buchanan (set), Birgit Rattenborg Wise (costumes), John Culbert (lights), Ray Nardelli (sound) and Mike Tutaj (projections). Kimberly McCann is the production stage manager.

“Whether it’s two or 10 years from now, the Delany sisters’ heartwarming and honest account of 20th century America will remain one of the most important stories of our lifetime—and a timeless reminder of what life was like for individuals of color in this country,” said Director Chuck Smith. “I’m excited to reunite with two remarkable and accomplished actors, Ella Joyce and Marie Thomas, for what I know will be a riveting experience.”

From the press release: “In 1991, Hearth interviewed both sisters for a feature length article for The New York Times. Following the article, the trio stayed in contact and later co-authored Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years. The book, which chronicled the sisters’ 10 decades of life and served as a narrative of a century-long swath of American life, spent 113 weeks on The New York Times Bestsellers list. It was subsequently adapted for the stage by Mann and premiered in 1995 at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, New Jersey and was later transferred to Broadway, where it ran for 317 performances.”

“Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years” appears May 5 – June 10, 2018 in the Albert Theatre. For more information visit goodmantheatre.org.