Rorschach Launches Buzzard Point Residency with So Late Into the Night
In the shadowy realm where literature meets the supernatural, Rorschach Theatre prepares to unveil "So Late Into the Night," a haunting new work that bridges centuries through music, mysticism, and the eternal human quest for immortality.
The production weaves together two parallel stories of artistic ambition. In one timeline, we encounter Mary Shelley on the brink of penning her legendary novel Frankenstein, surrounded by her circle of Romantic poets and free-thinking companions. Driven by creative hunger and a desire to transcend mortality, they engage in occult practices, peering beyond the veil of death itself.
Through their supernatural explorations, they encounter The Shelleys-a contemporary rock band from Ohio, circa 2025, who share the same burning desires for artistic greatness and eternal life. This temporal collision forms the heart of a darkly comic and profoundly human meditation on what it means to seek forever.
"So Late Into the Night" emerges from the creative partnership of writer-composer Shawn Northrip, known for previous works including TITUS X and LUNCH, and director Jenny McConnell Frederick, whose credits include NEVERWHERE and ANGEL NUMBER NINE. Originally commissioned by Rorschach in 2023, the piece promises to transport audiences into the opium-hazed, libertine atmosphere of the Romantic era while exploring timeless themes of creativity, mortality, and human connection.
Co-Artistic Director Jenny McConnell Frederick helms the production, with Nathan Nichipor serving as Music Director. The cast features a diverse ensemble including Adian Chapman, Sydney Dionne, Paul Pelletier Jr, Isabelle Jennings Pickering, Maxwell Ross, and Jason Zuckerman in dramatic roles, while the musical component is brought to life by Billy Bob Bonson on bass, Veronica Bundy on guitar, Dani Ray on drums, and Lydia Gifford as lead vocalist. The production is further supported by understudies Darren Badley, John Elmendorf, Aja Goode, Emily Kile, and Sam Slottow.
The visual and auditory world of the production comes together through the expertise of a skilled design team. August Henney creates the scenic environment, while Sydney Moore crafts the period and contemporary costumes that will help distinguish between the two eras. Dean Leong's lighting design promises to enhance the otherworldly atmosphere, complemented by Brandon Cook's sound design and Mason Dennis's props, all working in concert to create an immersive theatrical experience.
This production marks an exciting milestone for Rorschach Theatre as they establish their first fall residency at The Stacks in the emerging Buzzard Point neighborhood. Located at the meeting point of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, just south of Audi Field, this distinctive area represents one of Washington DC's most dynamic new developments.
The performance space itself-a soaring corner retail location within The Stacks development-offers unique architectural possibilities for theatrical storytelling. Developed through the collaboration of Akridge and National Real Estate Development, the venue provides both intimate performance opportunities and expansive surroundings for pre-show exploration.
Theatergoers can enhance their evening by arriving early to walk along the waterfront, enjoy cocktails and dining at nearby establishments like The Point or Hen Quarter, and take advantage of The Stacks' generous outdoor areas-all contributing to a complete evening of entertainment that extends beyond the theater walls.
Rorschach Theatre has built its reputation on creating transformative theatrical experiences that challenge conventional boundaries. Their artistic philosophy centers on utilizing unconventional spaces and fostering intensely personal performances that draw audiences beyond typical theatrical expectations, encouraging them to discover previously unknown aspects of their own humanity through the power of live performance.
This commitment to environmental storytelling and intimate artistic connection makes "So Late Into the Night" a perfect embodiment of the company's vision-a production that promises to blur the lines between past and present, life and death, reality and imagination, all while celebrating the enduring power of human creativity to transcend time itself.