An Issue of Blood*
Apr 3May 3, 2015
By Marcus Gardley

Director

Chay Yew

Playwright

Marcus Gardley

Cast

E. FAYE BUTLER (Nova Goode) CLEAVANT DERRICKS (Dozens Goode) LIZAN MITCHELL (Negro Mary) TOSIN MOROHUNFOLA (John Israel First) STEVE O’CONNELL (Constable Mason Esau) ELENI PAPPAGEORGE (Calla)

Summary

It’s 1676 in Virginia – a time when class, not color, defined an American’s destiny. ​H​istoric figure and wealthy landowner Negro Mary​​ believes a vile curse has been cast upon her family and land. But her plans to break the curse are thwarted by a secret wedding, an interracial love triangle, and a crime of passion. Can Mary cheat fate and change the course of history? Or will ​their lives end in ​​division and destruction? In An Issue of Blood, Victory Gardens Ensemble playwright Marcus Gardley and Artistic Director Chay Yew (​​The Gospel of Lovingkindness) look to a pivotal moment in our collective past to understand how we arrived in our tumultuous present.