Boston Playwrights’ Theatre New Play Incubator–supported production reexamines Dickens’ iconic character through a modern investigative lens
McGRATHPR.com – A haunting literary mystery is reexamined through local playwright John Minigan’s bold, contemporary lens in “(re)Dressing Miss Havisham,” a gripping solo performance starring Miranda Jonté, performing at Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, with evening performances from May 19 through 24. The production features a powerhouse creative team including solo performer Miranda Jonté, director Peter Sampieri, producer Neil McGarry and stage manager Summer Bates.
An original commission by Back Porch Theater, developed through Boston Playwrights’ Theatre’s New Play Incubator program, “(re)Dressing Miss Havisham” reimagines one of literature’s most iconic figures through a contemporary investigative frame. Miranda, an unmarried actor in her 40s with a background in criminology, takes on the role of Charles Dickens’ Miss Havisham with a singular mission: to solve the cold case of Havisham’s death.
What begins as a literary inquiry quickly deepens into a layered exploration of identity, autonomy and the portrayal of women—both in Dickens’ life and on the page. As Miranda moves between characters, employing forensic analysis, research and even a “murder board,” the line between performer and subject begins to blur. When the trail of evidence runs cold, it is Miss Havisham herself who emerges to confront long-buried truths—forcing both women to reckon with questions of independence, fulfillment and what it means to live fully on one’s own terms.
Praised by longtime theater critic Kathy Scrizzi Driscoll as “moving, funny, welcoming, and completely mesmerizing” following a recent development workshop at The Academy Playhouse, the one-woman, multi-character performance offers audiences an intimate and electrifying theatrical experience.
“(re)Dressing Miss Havisham” runs Tuesday, May 19, through Saturday, May 23, 7:30 pm, and Sunday, May 24, 6 pm. Tickets are $35 for adults; $20 for Boston University faculty and staff, veterans and seniors; and $12 for students with valid ID. Student rush tickets are free with valid ID, available to capacity in person at the box office on the day of performance only. A pay-what-you-can performance is being held on Tuesday, May 19, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at ci.ovationtix.com/168/production/1271190. For information about group rates, contact Neil McGarry at neilmcgarry@hotmail.com.
Tickets for “(re)Dressing Miss Havisham” are sold exclusively through Boston Playwrights’ Theatre’s official website and box office. To ensure valid entry and fair pricing, patrons are directed to purchase only through these authorized channels. Tickets obtained through third-party sellers or unauthorized websites may be invalid, overpriced or fraudulent. The theater cannot guarantee or assist with tickets purchased outside its official platforms.
For more information about “(re)Dressing Miss Havisham,” visit redressingmisshavisham.com. For more information about Boston Playwrights’ Theater, accessibility and parking, please visit bostonplaywrights.org.
About Playwright John Minigan: John Minigan is an award-winning playwright and educator whose work has been produced and developed across the country. Known for crafting character-driven stories that explore identity, history, and human connection, his plays have been staged at regional theaters, festivals and new play development programs in the US, the UK, Europe, Asia, and Australia. He is also a longtime theater educator and mentor, committed to advancing new work and emerging artists. John is a recent Massachusetts Cultural Council Artist Fellow in Dramatic Writing. Learn more at johnminigan.com.
About Boston Playwrights’ Theatre: Boston Playwrights’ Theatre is dedicated to the voice and vision of the playwright. The organization focuses on first and second productions of new plays by living writers that are text-forward and technically simple, centering vital questions in the lives of those in our region and amplifying voices in our communities that have been historically silenced or ignored. In this time of great uncertainty and great possibility, the theatre believes that playwrights are essential to reflecting on the past, engaging with present challenges, and shaping the future. Learn more at bostonplaywrights.org.
About Back Porch Theater: Back Porch Theater is a collaborative producing company dedicated to developing and presenting new work for the stage, with a focus on intimate, character-driven storytelling and the advancement of emerging and established artists. Through commissions, workshops and incubator partnerships, the company fosters a creative environment where new plays can evolve from concept to production, engaging audiences with bold, original voices. Learn more at Back Porch Theater on Facebook.
