Specialty Nights
- Discussion Nights May 11 & 24, 2022
- Pride Night May 20, 2022
The Upstairs Department
Luke hears dead people.
He thinks.
Playwright Chelsea Marcantel (Airness, Everything is Wonderful) channels the unexpected in an ethereal journey of familial love, the limits of cynicism and how to explain the unexplainable.
After a serious illness, a young man wakes up with the power to communicate with the dead (or so he believes). Desperate for guidance and to connect with their late father, he and his skeptic sister set out to test his paranormal talent at the Lily Dale Spiritualist community where their discoveries summon more than the afterlife.
Signature’s latest Heidi Thomas Writers’ Initiative play is an enlightening tale of an unlikely psychic directed by Holly Twyford.
“Her writing is both entertaining and heartbreaking.”
– BALTIMORE THEATRE TALK
Flip through The Upstairs Department Program
Running time is approximately 90 minutes, no intermission.
This show contains adult language and discussions of illness and death from disease. Also contains theatrical haze and lighting of sage. Appropriate for tweens and up. Click for more detailed information about content warnings.
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Signature requires all audiences (including children) to wear a mask AND provide proof of vaccination or negative COVID test to attend all live public performances and events at indoor venues.
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SPONSORED BY THE JENNA AND PAUL SEGAL FOUNDATION
NEW WORK AT SIGNATURE THEATRE IS SPONSORED BY DAN & GLORIA LOGAN
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY RICK KASTEN
THIS PROJECT IS SUPPORTED IN PART BY AN AWARD FROM THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
SigWorks: The Heidi Thomas Writers’ Initiative, a partnership with the Jenna and Paul Segal Foundation, is a multi-year commitment to present world premieres by female playwrights with female directors
Press Reviews
“A warmly funny and sweetly moving play full of spirit”
“Will stay in our hearts, minds and souls long after leaving”
“Poignant and often funny”
“Humorous and empathetic performances”
“Beautifully acted”
“The message we most need to hear right now”
Cast Members
Creative Team
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Written by
Chelsea Marcantel
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Directed by
Holly Twyford
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Scenic Design by
Paige Hathaway
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Costume Design by
Ivania Stack
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Lighting Design by
Annie Wiegand
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Sound Design by
Kenny Neal
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Resident Intimacy Consultant
Chelsea Pace
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Casting
Kelly Crandall d'Amboise and Jorge Acevedo
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Production Stage Manager
Joey Blakely
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Assistant Director
Clancey Yovanovich
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Production Assistant
Allison Poms