Neighbors: Public announces full cast

The Public Theater has announced complete casting for Neighbors, written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and directed by Niegel Smith, the second show of the 2009-2010 Public LAB season, playing at the Public's Shiva Theater from 16 Feb - 7 Mar 2010.

The complete cast for Neighbors will feature Jocelyn Bioh as 'Topsy,' Danielle Davenport as 'Melody,' Brandon Gill as 'Jim,' Birgit Huppuch as 'Jean,' Chris McKinney as 'Richard,' Okieriete Onaodowan as 'Sambo,' Tonye Patano as 'Mammy' and Eric Jordan Young as 'Zip.'

Have you seen the new Neighbors? Richard Patterson is not happy. The family of black actors that has moved in next door is rowdy, tacky, shameless, and uncouth. And they are not just invading his neighborhood—they're infiltrating his family, his sanity, and his entirely post-racial lifestyle.

Neighbors marks the major debut of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, member of the Public's Emerging Writers Group.

"Branden Jacobs-Jenkins is a thrilling, bold new voice exploring issues of race with searing intelligence and explosive theatricality," said Public Theater Associate Artistic Director Mandy Hackett. "We are very happy to share this provocative and meaningful play in Public LAB."

Now in its third year, Public LAB allows audiences to see new plays for only $10, cheaper than the price of a movie ticket. Public LAB, conceived in association with LAByrinth Theater Company, is an annual series of new plays that lets New Yorkers see more of the work they love from The Public in scaled-down productions. Public LAB allows The Public to support more artists, and gives audiences immediate access to new plays in development. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation supported Public LAB with one of the largest grants ever received by the Public Theater.

Branden Jacobs-jenkins (Playwright)'s full-length plays include 'The Change,' 'Neighbors,' 'Zoo,' and 'Heart!!!.' He is an alumnus of The Public Theater's Emerging Writers Group. His work has been seen and/or developed at The Public Theater, the New York Theatre Workshop, Soho Rep, PS122, the 2008 and 2009 Prelude Festivals, Princeton University/McCarter Theatre, and Links Hall in Chicago.

Niegel Smith (Director) recently completed a TCG New Generations Fellowship as Artistic Leadership Associate at The Public Theater, and is a founding member of 425D, a director's lab. His New York directing credits include 'Ether Steeds' (Fringe Award - Best Ensemble), 'We Declare You a Terrorist,' 'Rainy Days & Mondays,' 'Maud- The Madness,' 'One For The Road' and 'LIMBS: A Pageant.'.

Jocelyn Bioh (Topsy) is a playwright and actress who co-wrote and starred in the play 'Lightskin/Darkskin.' Her acting credits include 'The Lion King' and 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf.'

Danielle Davenport (Melody) was a creator/performer of the critically acclaimed 'What You Need,' cited by the Kennedy Center as one of the ten best short plays of the year. She appeared at The Public in Suzan-Lori Parks's '365 Days/365 Plays.'

Brandon Gill (Jim) is a Juilliard graduate whose recent film and TV credits include "Fringe," "Law & Order," 'Sorcerer's Apprentice' (opposite Nicolas Cage) and 'Violet Tendencies.' He appeared in 'Cross That River' at the 2009 New York Musical Theater Festival.

Birgit Huppuch (Jean) won an OBIE Award for her performance in Ariana Reines' 'Telephone' at the Cherry Lane Theatre.

Chris Mckinney (Richard) has been seen in New York in a variety of productions, including 'The Changeling' (Theatre for a New Audience), 'The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui' (Lincoln Center), 'Light Raise The Roof' (New York Theatre Workshop) and 'Medea' (Broadway).

Okieriete Onaodowan (Sambo) was recently seen in the New York premiere of Young Jean Lee's 'The Shipment,' a critically acclaimed examination of contemporary and historical racism presented at The Kitchen.

Tonye Patano (Mammy) is best-known for her portrayal of 'Heylia James' on the hit Showtime series "Weeds," for which she has been nominated for NAACP Image and SAG Awards. She appeared off-Broadway in 1993 in Eric Overmeyer's 'The Heliotrope Bouqet...' at Playwrights Horizons.

Eric Jordan Young (Zip) most recently appeared on Broadway in the 2009 revival of 'Ragtime' by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. His New York credits also include Michael John LaChiusa's 'Little Fish' at Second Stage.