Pittsburgh Public Theater presents world premiere of
Mark Clayton Southers' THE COFFIN MAKER
featuring all-star cast and creative team
Limited engagement May 29 – June 16 at the O'Reilly Theater
April 23, 2024 | Pittsburgh Public Theater announced today the full cast and creative team of its upcoming world premiere production of THE COFFIN MAKER, a contribution to the canon from Pittsburgh theater legend, leader, and writer Mark Clayton Southers, joined by acclaimed director Monteze Freeland. The cast features both local and national actors who will join the legendary creative team to bring this story of revenge from 1800s Oklahoma to life on the O’Reilly Theater stage May 29 to June 16.
“In thinking about this play, Mark and I had a conversation about the ingenuity of people, and specifically of Black people,” Freeland, co-artistic director of City Theatre Company who is described as the most in-demand actor and director in the region, said. “THE COFFIN MAKER surrounds people who are at the top of their craft in a small place and who are vital to their community, and when I think about that theme inside of the play and how we’re mirroring that outside of the play and through this cast, it’s almost like you can’t write it – but Mark somehow has.”
THE COFFIN MAKER tells the story of Lawrence Ebitt, a freedman who makes a peaceful living carefully preparing bodies for burial with his wife, Eula, in 1849 in Oklahoma – until their world is turned upside down by a bounty hunter who gets more than he bargained for and a fugitive forging his own future. This genre-defying world premiere is spiked with heart-stopping revelations, stunning special effects, and an impressive cast bringing the period piece to life.
Leading the show is Garbie Dukes, a Pittsburgh actor who has appeared in HBO’s “A League of Their Own” and “American Rust” on Showtime. Dukes returns to the role of Lawrence Ebitt in THE COFFIN MAKER, having previously read the role in The Public’s 2021 developmental presentation of the work. Veteran actor Randy Kovitz will play bounty hunter Evan Wainwright Hollister, and previously appeared in The Public’s productions of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK and DEATH OF A SALESMAN.
Connor McCanlus makes his O’Reilly stage debut at The Public as inquisitive photographer Buchannon, having previously appeared in The Public’s BAREFOOT IN THE PARK “in the park.” Acclaimed actress Robin R. McGee, recently awarded for her work in FANNIE: THE MUSIC AND LIFE OF FANNIE LOU HAMER, plays opposite Dukes as Eula, wife of the coffin maker Lawrence Ebitt. Brandon St. Clair rounds out the cast playing The Dead Man, whose escapades transform these characters’ lives.
“I like to follow the words of my mentor August Wilson, ‘Write what you know, and if you don’t know it do the research,’” Southers said in an interview with The Public. “So, I feel like I know these characters. They’re my aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents, and through these characters and writing words that they’re bringing to life, it’s like honoring their presence in my past and letting them continue to live.”
THE COFFIN MAKER is part of playwright Mark Clayton Southers’ Century Cycle, modeled after and inspired by Wilson’s Pittsburgh Cycle. Wilson’s work, a seminal collection of 10 plays about Black experiences in the 20th century set almost entirely in Pittsburgh’s Hill District neighborhood, redefined the craft in America and helped forge Pittsburgh’s theatrical legacy. The Public in 2009 became the first theater company in Pittsburgh to earn the prestigious August Wilson American Century Cycle Award by producing all 10 plays, including the world premieres of JITNEY and KING HEDLEY II, the latter of which was the inaugural show at the O’Reilly Theater in 1999.
“For me, this is bigger than Broadway,” Southers said. “A lot of people won’t understand that but knowing the history of Pittsburgh and this theater company, I think it’s huge. I was at August Wilson’s first play here at The Public, and I’m proud and honored to be able to follow in that tradition.”
New York-based stage manager Lisa R. Stafford shepherds this world premiere production of THE COFFIN MAKER and its world-class creative team, including scenic design by Carol R. Brown Creative Achievement Award winner Tony Ferrieri, lighting design by frequent Pittsburgh Playwrights collaborator Latrice Lovett, sound design by Audelco Award winner and Grammy nominee Bill Toles, and costume design by Pittsburgh Public Theater Costume Shop Head Venise St. Pierre, who was recently recognized for more than 25 years of creative service at The Public. Special Effects Consultant Steve Tolin, who has worked on films including “The Dark Knight” and “Jack Reacher,” joins the team to help bring this Western-Comedy-Revenge to life with chilling detail.
Pittsburgh Public Theater will also host Black Brilliance: A celebration of Black artistry, on Friday, May 31. Black Brilliance will feature food and beverages, networking opportunities, spotlights on incredible Pittsburgh artistry, and more in this free affinity event from 6 to 7 p.m., prior to concurrent performances of THE COFFIN MAKER on the O’Reilly Theater stage and New Horizon Theater’s THE NACIREMA SOCIETY in the Helen Wayne Rauh Rehearsal Hall. Registration is required and is available now at PPT.org/BlackBrilliance.
“We’re bringing communities together to center and elevate Black art in Pittsburgh, just as The Public did for August Wilson's plays,” Pittsburgh Public Theater Engagement Manager Jalina McClarin said. “We’re dedicated to continuing that legacy with Mark (Clayton Southers) by getting all of this incredible home-grown Black talent together to celebrate.”
THE COFFIN MAKER runs May 29 to June 16 at the O’Reilly Theater, a project of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Tickets are available now at PPT.org/Coffin or by calling the Box Office at 412.316.1600, including discounted tickets for anyone 26 or younger with promo code HOTTIX.
ABOUT THE SHOW
THE COFFIN MAKER
*World Premiere
May 29–June 19, 2023
O’Reilly Theater
621 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15222
Written by Mark Clayton Southers
Directed by Monteze Freeland
THIS INSTANT CLASSIC IS TO DIE FOR
In this new installment of his century-spanning chronicle of the Black experience inspired by his mentor August Wilson, Pittsburgh theater legend Mark Clayton Southers turns back the clock to 1849 Oklahoma. There, free man Lawrence Ebitt and his wife Eula live peacefully preparing bodies for burial with care and respect, until their world is turned upside down by a bounty hunter who gets more than he bargained for and a fugitive determined to forge his own future. This Western-Comedy-Revenge play is a genre-defying world premiere spiked with heart-stopping revelations.
Rating: PG-13 for explicit language, adult themes, depiction of death, and violence. Suitable for most audiences 13+ with caution advised for pre-teen and younger audiences.
CAST
Garbie Dukes – Lawrence Ebitt
Dukes’ professional stage credits include productions at City Theatre, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, Pittsburgh Opera, and numerous other companies and venues. His television appearances include “Unsolved Mysteries,” “Outsiders,” “A League of Their Own,” and national/regional commercials, including for the Pennsylvania Lottery. Dukes performs in jazz and cabaret shows locally and as musician and choir director at several local churches.
Randy Kovitz – Evan Wainwright Hollister
Kovitz’s past roles at The Public include Otto Frank in THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK and Charlie in DEATH OF A SALESMAN. Randy has also staged fights for more than a dozen productions at The Public and for hundreds of other film, television, and stage productions around the country. Other acting credits include numerous roles on and off Broadway and in regional theaters, and nearly 100 film and television roles. www.randykovitz.com
Connor McCanlus – Buchannon
This is Connor’s first indoor performance at The Public, having previously played Harry Pepper in BAREFOOT IN THE PARK... IN THE PARK, directed by Marya Sea Kaminski. McCanlus’ Pittsburgh credits include: RULES OF SECONDS, AMERICAN FALLS (barebones productions); SCARRIE, YINZER SCROOGED (Bricolage Production Company); THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES (Kinetic Theatre); KING LEAR, THE CURRENT WAR (Quantum Theatre); BOEING BOEING, FIRST DATE, JUDGE JACKIE JUSTICE (CLO Cabaret).
Robin R. McGee – Eula Ebitt
Robin is excited to be making her second visit to Pittsburgh! Robin was last seen as Fannie in FANNIE: THE MUSIC AND LIFE OF FANNIE LOU HAMER. She began the role at Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre in Atlanta and won the 2022 Suzi Bass Award for the role. She later closed the three-theater tour in Pittsburgh with City Theatre Company performing at the August Wilson's African American Cultural Center.
Brandon St. Clair – The Dead Man
This is Brandon's first time at The Public and he's excited to be here. His recent credits include “FBI” on Peacock and “Vacation Friends 2” on Hulu.
CREATIVE TEAM
Mark Clayton Southers – Writer
Playwright Mark Clayton Southers and his family reside in Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District. He is the founder and producing artistic director of the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company. His very first play, WHEN THE WATER TURNS CLEAR, was produced at Chicago’s ETA theater. His second play, ASHES TO AFRICA, was a finalist at the 2001 Dayton Playhouse Future Fest, and his third play, MA NOAH, earned the 2004 Theodore Ward prize at Columbia College in Chicago.
Southers has written more than 20 full-length and one-act plays since, including the poem play ANGRY BLACK MAN POETRY AKA. END ANGERED SPECIES, which had a successful run at the Teatr Śląski in Katowice, Poland, in 2009. His play MISS JULIE, CLARISSA AND JOHN ran at the 2017 National Black Theatre Festival and had a three-week run in 2017 at the prestigious Edinburg Finge Festival in Scotland. His Culture Clash Series of three plays includes HOOD WINKED, JAMES MCBRIDE, AND I NIPOTI.
Inspired by his mentor August Wilson, Southers has also set out to complete his very own 10-play collection of works set in the 1800s. To date, he has completed eight full-length plays, which include THE BLUEGRASS MILE, where premiered in October 2023 at his theater company, and THE COFFIN MAKER. Southers is a member of the Dramatist Guild of America and is the former artistic director of both the August Wilson African American Cultural Center and the Short North Stage August Wilson Festival in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, visit www.markclaytonsouthers.com.
Monteze Freeland – Director
Monteze Freeland is an actor, director, playwright, producer, and teaching artist. Beloved acting credits include AIDA, SOUTH PACIFIC, DREAMGIRLS, WILD WITH HAPPY, PARADISE BLUE, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, SWEAT, A FEW GOOD MEN, KING LEAR, RADIO GOLF, and THE PIANO LESSON. Selected directing credits include MISS JULIE, CLARRISA AND JOHN, IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, HAIRSPRAY, SHREK, I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS, HERO: THE BOY FROM TROY, and CLYDE’S.
Lisa R. Stafford – Production Stage Manager
NYC: FINDING HELENA, YELLOW ROSE, BELVA, THE CHEKHOV DREAMS, THE ASTONISHING TIMES OF TIMOTHY CRACHIT, THROUGH THE DARKNESS, COMPOSURE, MESQUITE, NV. Regional: ALMOST HEAVEN, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, ROCK OF AGES, BERTA, BERTA, MATILDA THE MUSICAL, VANYA, SONIA, MASHA AND SPIKE. Lisa also serves as the production coordinator for the Broadway Stage Management Symposium.
Tony Ferrieri – Scenic Designer
Tony’s recent designs include: THE SKELETON CREW (barebones theater), SOUTH SIDE STORIES REVISITED (City Theatre Company), HAMLET (Quantum Theatre), ANYTHING GOES (Pittsburgh CLO), CAROUSEL (Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center), THE BOOK OF MORMON (Pittsburgh CLO Cabaret), SMART BLONDE (59E59 Theaters in New York), FEEDING THE DRAGON (Hartford Stage and Primary Stages), and UNCLE TOM’S CABIN (Pittsburgh Playhouse).
Latrice Lovett – Lighting Designer
Latrice Lovett (M.F.A. UMKC, B.A. NCCU) specializes in lighting design for theater, dance, and concerts. With teaching experience at Duke Ellington School of the Arts, she now educates through her project L.I.T. (Lighting in Theatre) and operates Lovett Lighting LLC. Lovett’s other credits include STICK FLY (PlayMakers Repertory Company), REMEMORI (Penumbra Theater), and DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE (Heritage Theatre Festival).
Bill Toles – Sound Designer
Toles’ work across specialties includes: SCAT! from Urban Bush Women, MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN, DUTCHMAN, KNOCK ME A KISS (Audelco Award winner), LEWBERGER, AYODELE CASEL: CHASING MAGIC, THE MOUNTAINTOP and DETROIT ‘67 (TheatreSquared), “Light Under Night” by Shimon Attie, REFRIGERATED DREAMS from Carrie Mae Weems and Nona Hendryx, “Paul Robseon: Here I Stand (PBS American Masters), “Ex-Domestication” from Precious Lovell, and the Grammy-nominated debut album “Plantation Lullabies” by Meshell Ndegeocello.
Venise St. Pierre – Costume Designer
Steve Tolin – Special Effects Consultant
Michelle K. Engleman – Assistant Stage Manager
Michelle K. Engleman has a multidisciplinary career in theater, opera, and dance. Most recently, Michelle was stage manager for LA TRAVIATA at Opera Tampa and MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG at Front Porch Theatricals. Engleman’s memorable credits include: World premiere of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, THE OPERA, CANDIDE, THE TASK, THE COLLABORATORS, INSIDE PASSAGE (World Premiere), “SWAN Day Pittsburgh”, and Bricolage Urban Scrawl.
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ABOUT PITTSBURGH PUBLIC THEATER
Pittsburgh Public Theater strives to be a true public theater to the Pittsburgh region and welcomes more than 70,000 guests through the doors of the O’Reilly Theater every year. The Public is renowned for its exceptional mix of programming, featuring American classics, world premieres, new adaptations, and favorite musicals. Its commitment to education and engagement initiatives is a cornerstone of its mission and includes the signature Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Contest and innovative community partnerships. The O’Reilly Theater is a project of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Pittsburgh Public Theater is under the leadership of Artistic Director Marya Sea Kaminski and Managing Director Shaunda McDill and celebrates its 50th season in 2024.