HYMN
April 29 – June 14
written by: Lolita Chakrabarti
Directed by: Gregg T. Daniel**
Two strangers from very different neighborhoods meet at a funeral.
Gil knew the deceased. Benny did not.
Benny is a loner anchored by his wife and children. Gil longs to fulfill his potential. They form a deep bond but as cracks appear in their fragile lives, they start to realize that true courage comes in different forms.
R&B rhythms and gospel, boxing and rounds of scotch, uncover shared histories and hidden wounds in Hymn, directed by L.A. award-winner Gregg T. Daniel, in a much-anticipated co-production with the Odyssey Theatre and the Lower Depth Theatre. This soulful play takes a look at love, faith and friendship and asks “what does it take to be a good father, brother or son.” Written by celebrated playwright Lolita Chakrabarti, best know for her stage adaptation of the novel Life of Pi and Hamnet.
Running April 29 – June 14
Previews: April 29, 30 & May 1 $23 (includes fees)
Full Schedule:
Wednesday — Friday (preview), April 29, 30 and May 1 at 8pm
Wednesday May 27 at 8pm
Friday May 8, 15, 22, 29; June 5, 12 at 8pm
Saturday May 2 (opening), 9, 16, 23, 30; June 6, 13 at 8pm
Sunday May 3, 10, 17, 24; June 7, 14 at 3pm
Post Show Talkback Wednesday, May 27 at 8pm
Run time is 100 minutes.
Tickets:
General Admission $35
Seniors $30
Students $20
(A $3 fee will be added when purchasing with a credit card)
cast
Jason Delane*
Chuma Gault*
PRODUCTION
Written by Lolita Chakrabarti
Directed by Gregg T. Daniel
Set Design Stephanie Kerley Schwartz
Lighting Designer Donny Jackson
Costume Designer Wendell C. Carmichael
Sound Designer Alma Reyes-Thomas
Choreographer Toran X. Moore
Dialect Coach Paul Wagar
Stage Manager Jenny Nwene
Producer for the Odyssey Sally Essex-Lopresti
Artistic Director for Lower Depth Theatre Gregg T. Daniel
Producer for Lower Depth Theatre Drina Durazo
**The Director is a Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
*Appearing Courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
about the playwright
Lolita Chakrabarti
Lolita Chakrabarti is an award-winning playwright and actress. Her debut play, Red Velvet, won several awards including The Critics’ Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright 2013 and an Olivier Award nomination for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre. Chakrabarti’s adaptation of Life of Pi, premiered at the Crucible Theatre in 2019. It was nominated for 9 Olivier Awards, winning 5 including Best New Play. Four years later, it opened on Broadway, garnering 3 Tony Awards in 2023. Her adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s award-winning novel, Hamnet, opened at the RSC in 2023 and transferred to London’s West End.. Hamnet will tour the US in 2026. Her play, Hymn, set in London, opened at the Almeida during the pandemic and was live streamed internationally, returning for a live run in the summer of 2021. In 2025 Hymn had a new production at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre which Lolita rewrote to be set in Chicago.