Chris Bohjalian’s "Midwives" Comes To George Street Playhouse

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Rehearsals have begun at the George Street Playhouse for New York Times' bestselling author Chris Bohjalian’s "Midwives," a world-premiere play adapted by the author from his celebrated novel of the same name.

The novel, which has sold more than two million copies, was also an early selection of Oprah’s Book Club. George Street Playhouse’s stage adaptation premieres January 21 in The Arthur Laurents Theater at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. It will run Jan. 21 - Feb. 16.

“It is very fulfilling to present this new work in our beautiful new theatre named after that champion of new work in the theater, Arthur Laurents,” George Street Artistic Director David Saint, who is directing this new production, said. “'Midwives,' based on the bestselling novel, makes a powerful and compelling new play."

A severe snowstorm breaks out during a routine at-home birth. With no way to contact the outside world, midwife Sibyl Danforth makes an impossible decision to save the life of a baby. But when the sun rises and the blizzard clears, questions arise about what really occurred that icy Vermont night.

Bohjalian is a number one New York Times bestselling author of 21 books, including "The Flight Attendant," now being adapted into an HBO Max limited series, "The Sandcastle Girls" and "Secrets of Eden." His work has been translated into 35 languages and three times become films.

"Midwives" in New Brunswick will star award-winning playwright and actress Ellen McLaughlin (Blue Window at Manhattan Theater Club; A Bright Room Called Day at the Public Theater), who originated the part of the Angel in Tony Kushner’s 'Angels in America' and appeared in every production from its earliest workshops to Broadway, in the role of Sibyl Danforth.

Bohjalian's daughter, Grace Experience, will play the role of Anne Austin in this play.

The cast also features Molly Carden (Emotional Creature at Signature Theater); Michael Cullen (King Liz at Second Stage Theater and The Trial of Donna Caine at George Street Playhouse); Grace Experience (Chris Bohjalian’s Grounded at 59E59); Ryan George (Othello at Alchemical Theater Laboratory and The Trial of Donna Caine at George Street Playhouse); Monique Robinson (Fairview at the Berkeley Repertory Theater); Armand Schultz (Broadway’s Frost/Nixon, The Herbal Bed, A View From the Bridge, and The Secret Rapture); and Lee Sellars (A Time to Kill, West Side Story, and Talk Radio on Broadway; House of Cards and Luke Cage on Netflix).

George Street Playhouse’s book club selection for 2019/20, offering patrons the opportunity to read the novel, see the play, and then discuss the show with a member of the George Street team.

Audiences are encouraged to buy tickets early for the best seats. To purchase, visit www.GeorgeStreetPlayhouse.org or call (732) 246-7717. Groups of 10 or more save 20 percent. For more information, to bring your group, or to purchase a book club package, contact (732) 258-7575.