The Syracuse University Department of Drama finishes out the 2025-26 season with “Kentucky,” Leah Nanako Winkler’s refreshing and affecting tale of two sisters who grow up, grow apart and find themselves back together with wildly different lives.
Directed by Michelle Chan, performances will be held April 24 through May 3 in the Storch Theatre at the Syracuse Stage/SU Drama Complex, 820 E. Genesee St. Tickets are available through the Syracuse Stage Box Office at www.syracusestage.org/drama or by phone at 315.443.3275.
Hiro is a self-made woman making it in New York. But she is also single, almost thirty and estranged from her dysfunctional family who lives in Kentucky. When her little sister, a born-again Christian, decides to marry at 22, Hiro takes it upon herself to do whatever she can to stop the wedding and salvage any shred of hope she had about her sister’s future.
“At the end of the day, we’re all looking for other human connections,” said director Michelle Chan. “Whatever community is to you, that is where you thrive. One of the main questions the cast of ‘Kentucky’ and I have been trying to answer is: How can we honor the parts of ourselves that no longer serve us?”
Identity, religion and love collide in “Kentucky,” playwright Leah Nanako Winkler’s powerful and poignant coming-of-age story.
Details
“Kentucky”
By Leah Nanako Winkler
Directed by Michelle Chan
Music Direction by Rebecca Karpoff
Choreography by Lauren Schweers
Scenic Design by Izmir Ickbal
Costume Design by Dina El-Aziz
Lighting Design by Reyna Sanchez
Sound Design by Kevin O’Connor
Stage Combat and Intimacy Choreography by Erica Murphy
Dramaturgy by Ethan Wilson
Stage Managed by Fotini Lambridis
Associate Costume Designed by Sera Borgeau
Chair, Department of Drama
Eleanor Holdridge
Cast
Jessica Chien (Masako)
Nika Jomei Cospolite (Da’Ran)
Christian Ellwood (Adam)
Emily Kiyomi Gorin (Sophie)
Zia Gulson (Bridesmaid)
Ellis Eunjin Honma (Hiro)
Abigail Hunnewell (Sylvie)
Jordan Massey (Nicole)
Livia Nieves (Bridesmaid)
Sofía Peralta (Bridesmaid)
Tuleck Porchia (Ernest)
Mia Rohan (Amy)
Sam Ryan (Grandma)
Sofia Slaman (Laura)
Harrison M. Wei (Larry, Groomsman)
Seth Winnick (James)
Understudies
David Bellin (U/S Adam, Larry, James)
Jessica Chien (U/S Sophie)
Emily Kiyomi Gorin (U/S Hiro)
Violet Lanciloti (U/S Amy, Grandma, Sylvie)
Jordan Massey (U/S Da’Ran, Ernest)
Mia Rohan (U/S Bridesmaids, Nicole, Laura)
Additional Credits
Assistant Directors: Aliana Aspesi, Aasha Puri, Julia Zhu
Fight Captain: Fotini Lambridis
Intimacy Captain: Harrison M. Wei
Assistant Scenic Designer: Lilly Berget
Assistant Costume Designer: Bennie Shaffer
Assistant Lighting Designer: Ren Nygaard
Assistant Stage Managers: Aileen Espino, Jarel Reed
Production Staff and Run Crew
Faculty Advisor to Student Designers: Izmir Ickbal
Faculty Advisor to Stage Managers: Don Buschmann
Light Board Operator: Finn Sheehan
Sound Board Operator: Nashaly Bonnilla
Deck (Run Crew): Brody Kostyszyn, Eunchae Kim, Rion Emery, Sawyer Ricehall
Dressers (Run Crew): Becca Supcoff, Ciara Funk, Lexie Lewis, Rowan Modisher, Grace Nwamadi
Electrics: Abby Larkin, Bella Molino, Bennie Shaffer, Declan Hall, Eunchae Kim, Finn Sheeran, Maya Ross, Nashaly Bonilla
Costume Maintenance: Mia Szirovecz, Miller Asch