Baryshnikov Arts Opens 20th Anniversary Spring Season with World Premiere of A Mother

Fergie Phillippe (Courtesy Photo)

Baryshnikov Arts Opens 20th Anniversary Spring Season with World Premiere of A Mother

Jessica Hecht, Fergie Philippe Lead New Play in Limited Run; Special Events Include Disco Night and Gospel Concert

Baryshnikov Arts will launch its 20th Anniversary Spring Season with the world premiere of A Mother, a bold reimagining of Bertolt Brecht’s rarely performed play, written by Neena Beber and co-conceived by Beber and Jessica Hecht. Directed by Maria Mileaf, the production features choreography by Shura Baryshnikov and musical direction by Mustapha Khan.

The play begins performances on March 29 and runs through April 13, with an official press opening on April 7, at Baryshnikov Arts (450 W. 37th Street, NYC).

Fergie Philippe joins the previously announced cast, which includes Jessica Hecht, Delilah Napier, Zane Pais, and Portia.

A Contemporary Exploration of Brecht’s Legacy

“We’re thrilled to launch our 20th Anniversary season with the world premiere of A Mother, a loose retelling of Brecht’s classic play written by Neena Beber and starring our dear friend and acclaimed actress Jessica Hecht,” said Mikhail Baryshnikov, Founder and Artistic Director of Baryshnikov Arts. “The fabulous creative team began working together on this play in our studios during a Baryshnikov Arts residency, so it’s especially exciting to present it here in our intimate theater. We hope audiences will join us for the unparalleled experience of seeing incredible artists just an arm’s length away.”

Part documentary, part autobiography, part disco, A Mother places its story in 1970s and 1980s Miami, a city shaped by immigration, racial unrest, and cultural shifts. At its core, the play follows protagonist Jess’ journey of first love against the backdrop of the Arthur Lee McDuffie race riots, while also weaving in a soaring mix of disco, gospel, reggae, and Jewish music.

The production’s immersive storytelling and layered narrative promise to bring new resonance to Brecht’s themes, tackling contemporary questions of resilience, justice, and personal transformation.

A Creative Team of Established Innovators

With a dynamic ensemble cast, A Mother brings together artists from across disciplines.

• Music composition by Mustapha Khan, William Kenneth Vaughan, and Norman (Skip) Burns
• Set design by Neil Patel
• Costume design by Katherine Roth
• Lighting design by Matthew Richards
• Produced in partnership with Lana Russell and Susan Kaplan

The play has also been developed in association with The Orchard Project, which supported its early iterations in 2020 development labs.

Limited Run with Special Events

In celebration of its 20th Anniversary Season, Baryshnikov Arts will host a series of special events alongside A Mother’s limited engagement:

• Disco Night Party – April 3
  A dance party featuring food, drinks, and a live DJ, with special guests from the cast. Tickets start at $100, with VIP options at $200.
• Brecht Talkback – April 4
  A discussion featuring Brecht scholars Anthony Squiers and Joerg Esleben (included with performance ticket).
• Creative Team Talkback – April 11
  A post-show Q&A with the cast and creative team (included with performance ticket).
• Gospel Concert – April 13
  A one-night-only gospel performance featuring the musical team of A Mother following the final show.

Looking Ahead: A Season of Innovation

Following A Mother, Baryshnikov Arts will continue its 20th Anniversary Season with two landmark productions:

• SISSY (April 24–26)
  A modern reimagining of Sisyphus, choreographed and directed by Celia Rowlson-Hall. The cast includes Christopher Abbott, Alia Shawkat, Ida Saki, and Marisa Tomei, alongside a company of dancers.
• Season Finale: Baryshnikov Arts & Orchestra of St. Luke’s (May 8)
  A world premiere collaboration between Baryshnikov Arts and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, celebrating their respective 20th and 50th anniversaries. The event will feature Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, paired with Angélica Negrón’s Marejada and Anna Clyne’s Woman Holding a Balance, with lighting by MacArthur fellow Jennifer Tipton.

Tickets & Additional Information

Tickets for A Mother and 20th Anniversary Season events are available at baryshnikovarts.org.

Run time: approximately 100 minutes, no intermission.

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