The Lake Effect

Written by Rajiv Joseph

Directed by Alex Levy

UPDATE: Now February 6 - 23, 2025

A drama of family secrets by Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph. During a fierce Cleveland mid-winter storm, estranged siblings are reunited by their father's sudden death. In the midst of closing his failing Indian restaurant, they must confront the painful memories and secrets that drove them apart. With witty dialogue, richly drawn characters, and a deep understanding of the complexities of human relationships, The Lake Effect is a must-see.

“Simply brilliant.”  –Showbiz Chicago

Open Captioned Performances :

  • February 13 - 7:30 pm, February 14 - 7:30 pm, February 15 - 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm,

    February 16 - 2:00 pm

Audio-Described Performance:

  • February 9 - 2:00 pm

Mask Required Performances:

  • February 15 - 7:30 pm

Community Conversations

Following the 2 PM Performance

2/8/25: Meet the Design Team

Join us in conversation with members of the Design Team for The Lake Effect about creating the beautiful world of the play.

2/15/25: Meet the Cast

Join 1st Stage in conversation with the cast of The Lake Effect.

2/16/25: Meet the Director

Chat with 1st Stage Artistic Director and director of The Lake Effect, Alex Levy, about the process of bringing this story to life.
2/17/25: Meet the Cast (ZOOM-IN)

Join 1st Stage for a Zoom conversation with the cast of The Lake Effect from the comfort of your home! Register for the Zoom here.

Accessibility

Meet the Cast

  • SURASREE DAS (Priya)

    Ecstatic to be making her debut with 1st stage! Previous highlights include: Spooky Action: Fronteires Sans Frontiéres (Noon/Noble Laureate) Chesapeake Shakespeare: As you like it (Celia) EStP: Twelfth Night (Viola), Merry Wives (Mistress Quickly), Romeo and Juliet (Juliet), Midsummer (Hermia), Olney Theatre (u/s, Arundhathi and Megha), Strand Theatre: Little Women (Jo March); Free Range Humans: Jekyll/Hyde (Nellie); Imagination Stage: Hungry Caterpillar (u/s all, performed) Princess Pauper (Zoya); BAPAC/The Tank NYC: TornKid (TornKid); Center Stage: Animal Farm; Single Carrot: Lear (Goneril); Constellation: Arabian Nights (Dunyazade); Toby's: South Pacific (Liat) Awards: BITrsister Best actor nomination (Jo March), Best Ensemble(Little Women), Best Devised(TornKid) instagram: drag0n_mistress tiktok: Drag0nmistress


  • JONATHAN DEL PALMER (Bernard)

    JONATHAN DEL PALMER (Bernard) is so grateful to return for his 4th show at 1st Stage after previously appearing in The Rainmaker, columbinus, and The Member of the Wedding! NEW YORK: How To Quit Your Day Job (54 Below). LOCAL: Tempestuous Elements (Arena Stage), The Winter's Tale, Our Verse in Time to Come (Folger Theatre), Kill Move Paradise (Rep Stage), Day of Absence (Theater Alliance) Moon Man Walk (Constellation Theatre Company), Life Jacket (4615 Theatre), Suddenly Last Summer (Avant Bard Theatre). UPCOMING: Kim’s Convenience (Olney Theatre Center)

  • SHAAN SHARMA (Vijay)

    SHAAN SHARMA (Vijay) is thrilled to be doing his first full-length play in the DC theatre scene with 1st Stage and particularly with the play Lake Effect! Previous credits include: BARTER THEATRE: Pip - Great Expectations, Johnse Hatfield - Sally McCoy, Caliban/Gonzalo - The Tempest. THEATRE AT MONMOUTH: Lysander/Quince - A Midsummer Night’s Dream. NEBRASKA SHAKESPEARE: Lodovico/Duke - Othello, Guildenstern - Hamlet. VIRGINIA SHAKESPEARE: Demitrius - A Midsummer Night’s Dream. BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN’S THEATRE: Harold the Dog - Bunnicula: The Musical. Shaan would like to thank his family, past and present mentors, and particularly his extraordinary partner EA for their support.