Nell Gwynn

By Jessica Swale
Original music by Kim Sherman
Directed by Robert Richmond
January 29 – March 10, 2019
Folger Theatre
TICKETS:
$42-$79
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“It is so brilliantly crafted it would be a crime to miss it.
Get thee to the Folger, make haste.” - Broadway World

An orange seller from the streets of Drury Lane steps onto the stage and becomes the darling of the Restoration theater. Nell discovers one of her biggest fans is none other than Charles II. Smitten with Nell’s spirit, the king brings her to court as a favorite mistress. Commissioned by Shakespeare's Globe, this sparkling portrait of a rare woman earned accolades in London, including the 2016 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. This heart-warming and hilarious look at an amazing woman of her—or any—age is “a roaring good time” (DC Theatre Scene).

Running time for Nell Gwynn is approximately two hours, thirty minutes including a fifteen minute intermission.

Consider joining us for a special performance of Nell Gwynn to enhance your theater-going experience.

 

Folger Theatre gratefully acknowledges the kind support of our sponsors. For a full list of sponsors for Nell Gwynn, please visit our Sponsors page.
 

Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography.

Nell Gwynn (Alison Luff) is an overnight hit of the English stage (with musicians left to right: Zoe Speas and Kevin Collins). 

Who's Who

Regina Aquino
Lady Castlemaine, Louise de Kéroualle
Caitlin Cisco
Rose Gwynn
Kevin Collins
Musician
Christopher Dinolfo
Edward Kynaston
Catherine Flye
Nancy
R.J. Foster
King Charles II
Quinn Franzen
Charles Hart
Michael Glenn
John Dryden
Nigel Gore
Thomas Killigrew
Jeff Keogh
Lord Arlington
Alison Luff
Nell Gwynn
Alex Michell
Ned Spigget
Zoe Speas
Queen Catherine, Musician
Jessica Swale
Playwright
Robert Richmond
Director
Kim Sherman
Original Music
Tony Cisek
Scenic Design
Mariah Anzaldo Hale
Costume Design
Andrew F. Griffin
Lighting Design
Matt Otto
Sound Design
Jennifer Hopkins
Assistant Director and Movement Choreography
Michele Osherow
Resident Dramaturg
Eisenberg/Beans Casting
New York Casting
Manna-Symone Middlebrooks
Folger Casting
Teresa Wood
Folger Casting
Diane Healy
Production Stage Manager
Jessica Short
Assistant Stage Manager

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Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography.

Nell Gwynn (Alison Luff) stands alone on stage.

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Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography.

Leading actor Charles Hart (Quinn Franzen) gives Nell Gwynn (Alison Luff) acting lessons. 

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Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography.

The King’s Company in performance (left to right: Caitlin Cisco, Quinn Franzen, Christopher Dinolfo).

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Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography.

King Charles II (R.J. Foster, above) looks down on Lord Arlington (Jeff Keogh).

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Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography.

R.J. Foster as King Charles II in Folger Theatre’s comedy Nell Gwynn. 

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Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography.

Nell Gwynn (Alison Luff) rehearses with her scene partner Charles Hart (Quinn Franzen).

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Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography.

Nell Gwynn (Alison Luff, center) in a dramatic performance on stage, with fellow actors (left to right: Catherine Flye, Alex Michell, Quinn Franzen) in Folger Theatre’s Nell Gwynn.

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Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography.

Alison Luff as orange seller turned English acting sensation Nell Gwynn in Jessica Swale’s award-winning comedy.

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Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography.

Rose Gwynn (Caitlin Cisco, left) shares a somber moment with her sister Nell (Alison Luff).

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Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography.

Nell Gwynn (Alison Luff) is an overnight hit of the English stage (with musicians left to right: Zoe Speas and Kevin Collins). 

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Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography.

Nell Gwynn (Alison Luff) entertains a new fan—King Charles II (R.J. Foster)—backstage. 

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Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography.

The King’s Company in performance. Pictured left to right: Alex Michell, Caitlin Cisco, Catherine Flye, Christopher Dinolfo, Nigel Gore.

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Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography.

King Charles II (R.J. Foster, left) consults with Lord Arlington (Jeff Keogh) on matters of the court.

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Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography.

Actor Charles Hart (Quinn Franzen) takes center stage, as the rest of the Company looks on (left to right: Catherine Flye, Alex Michell, Caitlin Cisco, Christopher Dinolfo, Nigel Gore, Zoe Speas). 

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Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography.

“They’ve put a woman on the stage!” Nell Gwynn (Alison Luff) becomes a stage sensation in England. (Also pictured left to right: Catherine Flye, Quinn Franzen, Christopher Dinolfo, Kevin Collins.) 

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Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography.

King Charles II (R.J. Foster) shares a private moment with his mistress, Lady Castlemaine (Regina Aquino) in Jessica Swale’s Nell Gwynn. 

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Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography.

Orange seller Nell Gwynn (Alison Luff, center) addresses the King’s Acting Company backstage in Folger Theatre’s Nell Gwynn. (Pictured left to right: Nigel Gore, Catherine Flye, Kevin Collins, Christopher Dinolfo, Alex Michell, Michael Glenn.) 

Folger Theatre gratefully acknowledges the kind support of the following sponsors.
 

Season Sponsors

Maygene and Steve Daniels
Helen and David Kenney and Family
Roger and Robin Millay
Neal T. Turtell
Scott and Liz Vance
 

Contributing Sponsors

Denise Gwyn Ferguson


Associate Sponsors

William Hopkins
Louis and Bonnie Cohen
Ken Ludwig and Adrienne George

 

 
This production is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

This project was supported by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanties, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.