A woman takes revenge in Providence Players’ ‘Lovers and Executioners’

The cast includes (from the left): Jaclyn Robertson, Joshua McCreary, Emily-Grace Rowson, Chuck O’Toole, Chris Persil, Kirstin K. Apker, and Scotty Stofko. [Chip Gertzog/Providence Players]

By David Siegel

The Providence Players is bringing “Lovers and Executioners,” a blend of classic swashbuckling entertainment with a contemporary flair, to its 212-seat theater in the James Lee Community Center. The play is about a woman who takes revenge on men for their lack of decency toward her.

It was written by award-winning D.C.-area playwright John Strand, who is currently in residence at Arena Stage’s New Play Institute. “Lovers and Executioners” received the prestigious Helen Hayes Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play.

“Lovers and Executioners” begins as a husband thinks his wife has been unfaithful. He abandons her on a desert isle, expecting her to die. But she escapes and returns three years later disguised as a man. She manages to have herself appointed judge and promptly brings her husband to trial for the murder of his wife. The play focuses on the very serious questions of justice and revenge.

Veteran Providence Players director Beth Hughes-Brown praised the script for “its accessibility, relevancy, and style – written with rhyming couplets. It is funny, beautifully-written, and relevant. How could we go wrong?”

“This show is sassy, saucy, and even sometimes serious,” Hughes-Brown says. “It touches on truth and loyalty, love between spouses, betrayal, and (maybe) murder.”

“The audience will find themselves laughing out loud sometimes and truly caring about real humans in extraordinary circumstances in the next moment,” she says. “It will be surprisingly emotionally cathartic.”

“Without giving away any plot twist, I’d love it if they debate ‘what happens next’ over drinks, after the show or at home over coffee the next morning,” Hughes-Brown adds. “It will lift you up and knock you back down – then lift you up again.”

The seven-member cast includes Kirstin K. Apker in her Providence Players debut as Julie, the deserted wife. She also appears as Frederic when she disguises herself as a man. Julie’s husband Bernard is played by Chris Persil. Rounding out the cast are Jaclyn Robertson, Joshua McCreary, Emily-Grace Rowson, Chuck O’Toole, and Scotty Stofko.

Where and when: Providence Players presents “Lovers and Executioners” at the James Lee Community Center Theater, 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church. Performances run Oct. 5-20, 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. on Oct. 7 and 14. Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for students and seniors. Purchase tickets online or call the box office, 703-425-6782.


This review is based on a piece published in The Connection.