You Cannot Know the Hour

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Somerset Productions presents the world premiere of You Cannot Know the Hour, written by Katrina Wood and directed by Trace Oakley at The Sherry Theater.

Mr. Brown is a grumpy, peevish, ailing, aging man. A widower, he has a housekeeper to keep his home running smoothly. One day, Brown finds that a nurse has been engaged to look after him on a full-time basis.

Brown frequently sees and speaks with the ghost of his dead wife, Helen.  She rebukes him for terrible crimes in his past. He responds by protesting his innocence of any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, he finds himself at odds with his nurse. She frequently contradicts his instructions, almost gleefully. Could she possibly be pursuing a sinister, hidden agenda? If so, what is her objective?

Is Brown irredeemably evil, or is he an innocent?

The new play is the grand tradition of dark mid-century mystery thrillers, full of unexpected twists and turns. If you’re a fan of the genre, you’ll especially enjoy You Cannot Know the Hour.

The Cast

Raquis Da’Juan Petree portrays Mr. Brown. Tanya Laine is the Nurse. Thea Lux portrays the ghostly Helen. Jennifer Skiffington is Clara, the housekeeper.

The Team

Trace Oakley directs. The busy helmer has directed over 50 productions throughout the country most recently Dearly Departed and A Better Place. His previous collaborations with playwright Katrina Wood include Spindle City: The Lizzie Borden Musical, Bob Cratchit and Mr. Tightwa,(a musical), and The P.O.W. and the Girl (based on true events).

Ms. Wood also produced and wrote original music for the local premiere of Farm Boy (L.A. Times Critics’ Choice), the sequel to War Horse. Katrina Wood also wrote the book, music and lyrics for Spindle City: The Life of Lizzie Borden produced at the Secret Rose Theater in NoHo. The production was nominated for several Valley Theater Awards, including Best Actor – Best Supporting Actress and Best Musical. The London-born playwright from a British theatrical family worked in the U.K. with the National Opera Company and the Lincoln Theatre Royal, as well as with the Donovan Music Theatre Company in Kenya. 

Stage manager: Alex Salkin. Lighting design: Dan McNamara. Sound design: Art Wood.