May 28, 2008 – "River Bottom" will have its Virgin Islands premier at 8 p.m., on Friday, July 11, at Island Center for the Performing Arts on St. Croix. The comedy gang will then move to St. Thomas for two shows slated for Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13, both at 8 p.m. at Reichhold Center for the Arts.
In what the Jamaican press calls one of the best plays of the last five years, "River Bottom" is the hilarious new comedy from Trevor Nairne and Patrick Brown, who produced "Christopher Cum-Buck-Us" and "Ras Noah and the Hawk." Many of the cast members from last year's "Cutie and the Freak" are in the play.
Oliver Samuels plays Cappo, River Bottom's spiritual leader, faith healer, prophet, Minister of Parliament, obeahman, storm whisperer and whatever else works. As the only one in the village with financial and other resources, Cappo reigns supreme. Cappo's wealth can buy him anything, except the love of beautiful Pearle, played by Camille Davis, who played Cutie in "Cutie and the Freak."
Also fighting for Pearle's love is the young, educated Quatty (Courtney Wilson / Christopher Hutchinson). Cappo "generously" helped Quatty's father Half-Pint (Glen Campbell) send the young boy to school overseas. However, Cappo's generosity came with ulterior motives.
The play has won seven Actor Boy Awards – described as Jamaica's equivalent to Broadway's Tony Awards – in March 2008: "Best Comedy," "Best Production," "Best Actor in a Lead Role" for Samuels, "Best Actor in a Supporting Role" for Campbell, "Best Special Effects," "Best Set Design" and "Best Director."
Funny man Samuels also won the "Theatre Achievement Honoree" for his more than 40 years of making people laugh.
The cast of "River Bottom" has taken their play to Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Washington D.C., Georgia and Florida; as well as Guyana, Antigua, Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos Islands.
Tickets are $35 and $25 on St. Croix and are available at Alliance Clothing, Urban Threadz and UVI Bookstore. On St. Thomas, tickets are $40, $28 and $22 and are available at Modern Music, UVI Bookstore, V.I. Bridal & Tuxedo, Urban Threadz, Essentric Shoe Boutique, Island Video (Nisky), Home Again (Red Hook) and the Reichhold Center box office at 693-1559.
