Intiman Theatre presents

THE NICETIES

By Eleanor Burgess
Directed by Sheila Daniels

April 18-29, 2023

Erickson Theatre, 1524 Harvard Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

You’re invited to join Intiman Theatre for the Seattle premiere of The Niceties by Eleanor Burgess. The play will be staged in the round at the Erickson Theatre. Amy Thone and Varinique “V” Davis star in this epic showdown between a white baby boomer (Thone) and a Black millennial (Davis) at an elite university. The campus is torn apart as their polite clash in perspectives explodes into a dramatic fight that forces us all to choose a side.

Takes a crowbar to the jagged generation gap between those in power and the disruptive new thinkers radical enough to expose the way their elders — including many who identify as progressives — so often pull the ladder up after themselves

-Variety

A bristling, provocative debate play about race and privilege in the United States, and it begs to be argued with.

-The New York Times

ABOUT THE PLAY

A pair of progressive women — a white baby boomer and a Black millennial — are pitted against each other at an elite university as a tenured history professor argues with her student about the effects of slavery on the American Revolution. What begins as a polite clash in perspectives explodes into a dramatic fight that will alter both their lives forever. The play forces us to choose a side as it asks: how much are you willing to sacrifice for the sake of progress?

FROM THE DIRECTOR

“Beyond the polemical, The Niceties brings together two characters who desperately want to be seen and heard. In this very personal way it gets to the fears and hopes all of us have that drive us at times to actions that are damaging to ourselves and others. As Eleanor Burgess says in the pre-play notes: ‘Let them both be people. And resist the temptation to think of only one of them as a mouthpiece for the truth.’” – Sheila Daniels, director

GUARANTEE

Intiman Theatre guarantees your ticket purchase. We are implementing rigorous COVID-19 safety and testing protocols for our cast and crew, and in the event of a cancellation, we will reach out to offer you an exchange or refund (your choice!). We also gratefully accept tax-deductible donations of any unused tickets.

Meet the Cast

Amy Thone

- Janine

Amy Thone (she/her) is so deeply pleased to once again be collaborating with Sheila “Horfey” Daniels, with whom she’s worked on King Lear (Kent), Midsummer (Titania), The Winter’s Tale (Paulina), Much Ado (Beatrice), My Name is Asher Lev (Rivkeh), The Bridge at San Luis Rey (Nun), The Normal Heart (Dr. Emma Brookner), Macbeth (co-workshop leaders–UW), plus years of collaborating as teachers at Cornish College of the Arts. View More

Varinique "V" Davis

- Zoe

Varinique Davis (she/her) studied at the National Theatre Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center. She is a member of the Miranda Family Fellowship created by Lin-Manuel Miranda. V's credits include Seattle Repertory Theatre's Public Works productions of The Winter's Tale, Twelfth Night, As You Like It, Macbeth (Seattle Shakespeare Company), and Mamma Mia (Village Theatre).
View More

Meet the Creative Team

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COVID SAFETY

Intiman Theatre does not require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to attend a performance. We strongly encourage all audience members to wear a mask over their nose and mouth at all times and ask that all audience members respect each other’s choices. Certain performances are mask-mandatory, and we require all audience members on these dates to wear a mask over their nose and mouth at all times.

Learn more about Intiman’s COVID Health & Safety guidelines HERE.

ACCESSIBILITY

Intiman Theatre offers the following accessibility accommodations:

Supported By

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