The Benicia Theatre Group (BTG) is excited to announce the Spring 2025 production of Bamboozled, written by celebrated local playwright Patricia Milton. This thought-provoking comedy grapples with identity, bigotry, and the legacy of slavery—all delivered through Milton’s signature sharp wit and incisive humor. We are thrilled to welcome back our award-winning director, Terrence Tyrie Ivory, for his third production with Benicia Theatre Group. Ivory, a true legend in the theatre world, previously directed Fences in 2010 and Two Trains Running in 2015 for the Benicia Theatre Group, both earning critical acclaim and awards. Reviewers hailed Ivory’s direction of Fences as “knocking it out of the park” and described Two Trains Running as “entertaining and thought-provoking.” With his unparalleled talent and vision, Ivory is poised to make Bamboozled an extraordinary and unforgettable production. We welcome you to enjoy the magic of local theater!

Synopsis of Bamboozled

Bamboozled takes audiences on a rollercoaster ride of wit and humor while wrestling with America’s fraught history of race and identity. Set against the backdrop of a contentious historical artifact’s discovery, the play delves into themes of cultural appropriation, systemic bias, and the echoes of slavery, all through Patricia Milton’s hallmark sharp dialogue and comedic prowess.

Character Descriptions

ABBY HOWARD – Female, African American, 20’s. Desperate but resourceful. An Antiques Roadtrip appraiser accused of fraud. Hails from Rialto, California.

SAVANNAH HILL – Female, African American, 30’s-40’s. A suspended attorney working as an administrative assistant. In a long-term lesbian partnership. A preacher’s daughter. Misused and damn near fed up.

ROCHELLE ASHWORTH – Female, white, 50’s. Ambitious lawyer, fighter, lesbian, originally from Blades, Delaware (the North). Classifies herself as an outsider. Came to Tennessee for love. Dumped, she stays for spite, determined to grow her business.

OPAL ANNE HATCHETT – Female, white, 50’s-60’s. Old-school Southern matriarch who hosts Civil War re-enactments on her estate. A big-time fan of the 19th century and its values, Opal Anne’s got no patience for white guilt.

About Benicia Theatre Group

The mission of Benicia Theatre Group is to promote Community Theatre by providing a wide variety of high-quality theatrical entertainment. We strive to promote training in all aspects of theatre arts allowing aspiring performers and behind-the-scenes volunteers to learn, practice, and perfect their crafts. The Benicia Theatre Group values and actively supports diversity, equity, and inclusivity in our volunteers, actors, and board members.