PHILADELPHIA, PA, April 22, 2024- This June, Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) (480 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146) Obie Award-winning Artistic Director Taibi Magar directs the world premiere of Roger Q. Mason’s (they/them) The Duat, presented in 360-degrees of theatre in the round for PTC’s 2023-24 season finale. All seating will be onstage for the performance featuring Barrymore Award nominee (Waiting for Godot/ Quintessence Theater) and Philadelphia native Frank X. Viewers will have a uniquely intimate experience transitioning through the Egyptian underworld inside one man’s battle to save his soul. The Duat has an estimated runtime of 90 minutes with no intermission. Single tickets start at $20 and are available online, by calling 215.985.0420, and at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre box office. Previews begin Friday, June 7, with opening night on Wednesday, June 12, and closing on Sunday, June 23.

“Premiering The Duat in Philadelphia is an honor because it is a city where the arts are vibrant, alive, and everywhere,” said playwright Roger Q. Mason. “This work engages theatre, dance, history, and music – it was made for a multi-artistic city like Philadelphia.  While developing the play in town over the past two years, I’ve been touched by the outpour of love and support the community has shown me, and I look forward to sharing this show with audiences.”

The Duat’s antagonist, Frank X, was last seen in The Fantasticks (Quintessence Theatre/ Philadelphia, PA) and has performed on stages nationwide. Earlier this season, he played Orgon in Tartuffe (Lantern Theater/ Philadelphia, PA).  

The world debut of Mason’s psychological self-exploration represents their introduction to the Philadelphia region. The Duat concludes Mason’s three-production national tour featuring LGBTQ2S themes, including the world premiere of The Pride of Lions (Theatre Rhinoceros/ San Francisco, CA) from March 28 to April 21 and Lavender Men (About Face Theatre/ Chicago, IL) from May 9 to June 8. 

“Roger is an essential new voice in the American canon, and we’re incredibly proud to produce the world premiere of this fantastic play,” said Tyler Dobrowsky, PTC’s artistic director. “With its captivating blend of dance, music, and soul-stirring language, the play promises to have a thrilling effect on the audience. We’re beyond excited to welcome Roger and their groundbreaking work to Philadelphia!”

The funerary texts of the ancient Egyptian underworld, found in the tombs of mummies, are believed to lead the deceased through the afterlife or Duat. Duat is described as the place where human hearts are weighed on the scales of Anubis, God of Funerary Rites, Protector of Graves, and Guide to the Underworld, against the feather of Ma’at, Goddess of Truth, Justice, Balance, and Order. Those with hearts that don’t equal the feather’s weight have their souls eaten by the Goddess Ammit, Devourer of the Dead, and their hearts are eaten by a lion. Those with unburdened hearts as light as a feather proceed to the next life. 

The Duat begins when student turned FBI counterintelligence officer Cornelius Johnson (Frank X) finds himself deceased and dwelling in purgatory with a burdened heart. As Cornelius’ heart is weighed against the feather, and feeling terrified of his heavy heart and its consequences, he tries to finesse the deity with distorted accounts of collected memories. Cornelius embarks on a forensic journey of his life under the watchful energy of Osiris, the God of Fertility, Agriculture, the Afterlife, the Dead, Resurrection, Life, and Vegetation. Wielding an unflinchingly honest reflection of Cornelius’ most authentic beliefs, Osiris’ ominous existence admonishes him to unpack his purpose and intention as Cornelius struggles to understand what the unburdening entails. Through examining soul-penetrating encounters with a high school teacher, a lover, a clandestine stranger, and ultimately, the Egyptian Sun God Ra, Cornelius enters a consciousness of self-acceptance. Each layer of his discovery is expressed through spoken word, North African drumming, and gorgeous choreography in a poetic and virtuosic story of redemption, finding, and earning self-love. 

Frank X’s quest through the Egyptian underworld is produced through the rhythmic accompaniment of Barbara ‘Muzikaldunk’ Duncan (Drummer) and yaTande Whitney V. Hunter (Choreographer). Gaven D. Trinidad (they/he/siya) (Dramaturg), Jungah Han (Scenic Designer), LeVonne Lindsay (Costume Designer), Thom Weaver (Lighting Designer), Rucyl Frison (Sound Designer), and Leslie Ann Boyden (Stage Manager) complete The Duat’s creative team, led by artistic director Taibi Magar. 

Author Roger Q. Mason is a writer and performer using the lens of history to disrupt the biases that divide rather than unite us. Their playwriting has been seen on Broadway (Circle in the Square Reading Series) and regionally. The Duat is Mason’s Philadelphia debut. Mason’s 2022 World Premiere of Lavender Men was lauded by the Los Angeles Times as “evoking the mingled visions of Suzan-Lori Parks, Jeremy O. Harris, and Michael R. Jackson.” They are a recipient of the inaugural Catalyst Fellowship, awarded by the Dramatists Guild Foundation, in celebrations of theatre makers whose work impacts social justice and civic change through art. 

As a filmmaker, Mason has been recognized by the British Film Institute, Lonely Wolf International Film Festival, SCAD Film Festival, AT&T Film Award, and Atlanta International Film Festival. Their films have been screened in the United States, United Kingdom, Poland, Brazil, and Asia. Mason holds degrees from Princeton University, Middlebury College, and Northwestern University. They are a member of the Dramatists Guild of America and an alum of Ma-Yi’s Writing Lab, the largest resident company of Asian American playwrights in the country, Page 73’s Interstate 73 Writers Group, and Primary Stages Writing Cohort. Mason has served as a lead mentor of The Marsha P. Johnson Institute’s Starship Fellowship, the New Visions Fellowship, and the Shay Foundation Fellowship. They are currently on faculty at the California Institute of the Arts (Santa Clarita).

PTC’s production offers multiple affinity nights for various audiences, including Educator’s Night on Friday, June 7, and Black Theatre Night on Thursday, June 13. A post-show talkback takes place on Sunday, June 16, an audio-described performance on Saturday, June 15, and an open caption accompanied performance on Saturday, June 22. A complete schedule of performances can be found at philatheatreco.org.  

PTC is grateful to the sponsors who have made this production of The Duat and PTC’s 2023-24 season possible. Honorary Producers for The Duat are Linda & David Glickstein. Additional support for The Duat is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. PTC’s season sponsors include Rhonda and David L. Cohen, David and Nancy Colman, Daryl and Ellen Morey, and Center City Film and Video.

Find a detailed lineup of productions this season, rental, partnership, and sponsorship opportunities, and a schedule of community programming on the Philadelphia Theatre Company website. Like and follow PTC on social media @philatheatreco, Facebook, X, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Cast Bios:

Frank X (Cornelius Johnson) has appeared on stages around the country in some of his favorite roles, including Henry in The Fantasticks and Estragon in Waiting for Godot (Quintessence Theatre, Philadelphia, PA); Orgon in Tartuffe, Thomas More in A Man of All Seasons, and Sam in Master Harold…and the Boys (Lantern Theater, Philadelphia, PA); Malvolio in Twelfth Night and Hector in The History Boys (The Arden, Philadelphia, PA); Sterling North in Permanent Collection and Molina in Kiss of the Spider Woman (InterAct Theatre, Philadelphia, PA), and David Gavin in After Ashley (Humana Festival, Louisville, KY).

Barbara ‘Muzikaldunk’ Duncan (Drummer) brings an unstoppable force of rhythm and innovation. Hailing from the vibrant city of Philadelphia, Muzikaldunk electrifies stages worldwide with her dynamic drumming and unparalleled production prowess. As the driving force behind Alt/Rock Jazz band Mobbluz and Punk Rock band JJX, Duncan leads and shapes musical landscapes. Whether commanding the beat for the Remixologist DJs or captivating audiences with her creative genius, Muzikaldunk is the go-to for unforgettable experiences. Duncan found breakout roles in groundbreaking musical theatre productions, including Macbeth in Stride.

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Media Contact | Summer Freeman
summer@enroutemarketing.com| 215-500-1079

Philadelphia Theatre Company  (PTC) is a vital civic institution dedicated to the creation of extraordinary theatrical experiences that reflect the essential issues and ideas of our time and that foster connection, understanding, and transformation. PTC engages and strengthens our community through exceptional productions of new and contemporary plays and musicals, inspiring education programs, and mutually beneficial civic partnerships. PTC develops exciting new work that resonates locally and nationally and upholds a deep commitment to be a fully inclusive, welcoming home for Philadelphia’s artists, audiences, and people.