Two River Theater: Love in Hate Nation

Writer Joe Iconis and director John Simpkins discussed the turbulent rock romance, "Love in Hate Nation," set in a 1960s juvenile hall, and cast members performed highlights prior to its world premiere at the Two River Theater with moderator Laura Heywood. Classic girl group, Wall of Sound-style vocal harmonies meet punk rock spirit in this rebellious and romantic new musical that uses classic “bad girl” movies as the inspiration for the story of young people caught between eras of a changing America. Sixteen-year old Susannah Son is carted off to the National Reformatory for Girls to get her head put on straight. There she meets the aggressively incorrigible Sheila Nail, and a relationship forms which leads to an all-out “revolution in the institution” as they attempt to break out of the boxes society has created around them.
PANEL (in alphabetical order)
Laura Heywood, Moderator
Joe Iconis, Book, Music, and Lyrics
Mayte Natalio, Choreographer
John Simpkins, Director
CAST (in alphabetical order)
Sydney Farley……………....Gloria “Ya Ya” Meeks
Amina Faye………………....Susannah Son
Jasmine Forsberg……….Brenda “Rat” Ratowski
Lauren Marcus……………..Miss Asp
Kelly McIntyre……………...Sheila Nail
Lena Skeele………………….Dorothy Donaldson
Emerson Mae Smith……Kitty Minx
Tatiana Wechsler………..Judith Ramone
"Love in Hate Nation" begins performances at Two River Theater in Red Bank, NJ on November 9 and runs through December 1, 2019. For tickets visit tworivertheater.org or call 732 345 1400.