When ambitious 20th-century academic Joan goes looking for unpublished writings by literary giant Samuel Johnson, she finds her work interrupted by James Boswell. Chatty, bawdy, flawed and deeply honest, Boswell’s 18th-century journals of his grand journey through Scotland with Johnson take Joan back in time, showing her the power of authenticity and the need to make her own place in the world. Heart and mind spar wittily in this epic adventure of friendship, travel and the written word.
Enjoy Next Act Theatre’s full 2025-26 season for less! Buy Fixed Subscriptions to all four shows or Flex Passes for four flexible admissions to the shows of your choosing.
Single tickets for the 25-26 season go on sale Monday, July 14, 2025.
Generously sponsored by Anonymous, Marianne and Sheldon Lubar, Ildy and Skip Poliner, Bob Balderson, and Lori Morse and Rob Gardenier.
Cast
Madeline Calais-King as Joan
Josh Krause as James Boswell
Brian Mani as Samuel Johnson/Father/Doctor
Sarah Zapiain as Joshua Reynolds/Louisa/Serving Woman/Gardyloo Woman/Margaret Boswell/Hebrides Tavern Woman
David Cecsarini as Oliver Goldsmith/Professor/David Hume/Taxi Driver
Heidi Armbruster as David Garrick/Mrs. Thrale/The Lady
Creative Team
Laura Gordon, Director
Jody Sekas, Scenic and Properties Designer
Noele Stollmack, Lighting Designer
Misti Bradford, Costume Designer
Dana Rochester, Wig Designer
Josh Schmidt, Sound Designer
Eva Breneman, Dialect Coach
Maria Soledad Gillespie, Choreographer