Azuka friends and family —

The holidays are somehow, in presumably a feat of winter warlock magic, next week already — and we’re awaiting with excited anticipation the New Year and all that comes with it — including the next show of Azuka’s 20th season, SHIP, by Azuka’s Playwright-in-Residence and New Pages member Douglas Williams.

Before the holidays get even more hectic than they already are — I wanted to offer a sneak peek at SHIP, a look ahead á la a captain in a crow’s nest, eying through a spyglass the horizon’s islands, this island being the wonderfully unique world of SHIP. Here’s the story:

Fresh out of rehab, Nell returns to her hometown of Mystic, CT with two goals: track down her former classmate who tried and failed to grow the longest fingernails in the world, and be promoted to the most high profile job in town: tour guide at the Seaport. With the help and hindrance of her older sister, Nell grabs at her chance for hometown glory – but it’s not as easy as it looks.

To dig a little deeper, I asked Doug to talk a bit more about the show, and what he’s looking forward to. Ahoy, Doug!

**In choosing a show, we often talk about what makes something an “Azuka show.” So…what makes SHIP an Azuka show?**

I often say this to Kevin, but I'm just so happy that he and I met because I think our aesthetics really line up in some pretty freaky and profound ways. Kevin programs plays about outcasts and underdogs who have been overlooked politically, economically, societally. His plays often feature whip-smart characters, punchy dialogue, and examine contemporary issues that you don't often see depicted on stages. Those are the plays I strive to write every time I sit down at my desk. Plus it's a play by a Philly playwright, which in the past 5 years has really become Azuka's calling card. They champion local writers who have stories they want to share with our local audiences. That's SHIP, through and through.

What makes it new and different from what audiences have seen? What can audiences look forward to?

Well it's pretty weird and is probably the only play you'll ever see about someone trying to grow the longest fingernails in the world. It's also really personal to me and I think that comes through with the characters we're creating. On its surface the play is about Nell, a young woman recovering from an opioid addiction, who is also hyper-obsessed with the Guinness Book of World Records. It's both intensely serious and kind of zany at the same time. It's a tough balance that I think makes the play pretty unique. We're trying to explore universal truths about redemption, family turmoil, and recovering from trauma. But also we want it to be funny! It's a tightrope walk for sure - our goal is to tell a big story in a small, personal way, which is something I think Azuka does better than anyone.

Are there any specific elements of the show you're excited about?

I love our cast! I'm so excited to work with these New Professionals*. To be totally honest, though the play was written for a young cast, I was a touch nervous about working with recent graduates when we went into casting. But I was completely floored by talent we saw. We could have cast the show 3 or 4 times over with all the amazing actors we had come in. It really made me realize how important the New Professionals program is, because we're able to pull from this deep pool of talent Philly has to offer and introduce new actors to Azuka's audiences. I'm also overjoyed that Azuka has been able to continue their Pay What You Decide program. My last play, Shitheads, was part of their first PWYD season and interacting with those audiences was the highlight of that production for me. It means a lot that I can invite people to my show and tell them that all performances are PWYD - it breaks down barriers and brings in new audiences which is such an essential part of what we do. And I'm so excited to be teaming up with Kevin for now the third time. He believed in me and my plays when I was a little baby playwright who had just moved to Philly, hadn't done anything, and didn't know anyone. I've grown as a writer in leaps and bounds working alongside Kev, and I can't wait to jump into another play with him at the helm.

*In Azuka’s New Professionals Productions, all of the participants — actors and designers — are either recent college graduates or theater artists seeking to expand their focus (i.e. an actor who wants to design sets). This program provides these emerging artists opportunities to develop their skills and talents in a professional theatre setting under mentorship by an area professional. See the cast and crew of SHIP here.

We’re pretty excited too, Doug! SHIP runs February 26 - March 15, 2020.

Now, I understand it might be easy for SHIP to slip your mind after the holidays — so why not reserve tickets now? In fact, we’ve got the perfect last-minute gift idea for the Philly theater-goer in your life.

With the Azuka season package, you can reserve for SHIP and our World Premiere of A Room at the Flamingo Hotel by Lena Barnard in April — and with Pay What You Decide, it’s at no cost.

Reserve a Season Package now!

Otherwise, all of us here at Azuka are sending you very warm holiday wishes, and hopes for a happy and healthy New Year! Thanks for checking in.