Scathing Send Up Of Race And Gender, THE AMERICAN TRADITION Begins Performances Tonight With New Light Theater Project

THE AMERICAN TRADITION, Ray Yamanouchi's scathing satire about race and gender in the US, begins performances tonight at the 13th Street Repertory Company.

When Eleanor, a slave who can pass for white, learns that her husband Bill is going to be sold at auction, she dons a planter costume and they escape for free Pennsylvania, with Eleanor pretending to be Bill's master. On their way north, they meet Walsh, a drunk planter and member of the Not All Slavers organization, who steals Bill to sell at auction. Armed with a Glock-19, her fair skin, and a pair of trousers, Eleanor sets out to rescue him by any means necessary.

A uniquely urban mash-up of America's shameful past and its unsettling present, THE AMERICAN TRADITION is a whip-smart criticism on gender and race in the United States.

Directed by Axel Avin, Jr. (Ruined at MTC), the cast features Sydney Cole Alexander (She's Gotta Have It dir. Spike Lee, on Netflix); Hunter Canning (Warhorse at Lincoln Center, '68 with LAByrinth); Alex Herrald (Life and Times with Nature Theater of Oklahoma, Obie Award; These Seven Sicknesses at The Flea); and Martin K. Lewis (TADA! Youth Theater alum, Off Broadway debut); Danie Steel (The DK Show on YouTube).

Produced by New Light Theater Project and winner of their New Light New Voices Award, THE AMERICAN TRADITION begins performances on Friday, January 25 for a limited engagement through Saturday, February 16. Press opening is Wednesday, January 30 at 7:30 PM. The performance schedule is Wednesday - Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday at 3 PM & 7:30 PM, and Sunday at 3 PM. Please note the following schedule adjustments: there are no matinee performances on Saturday, January 26 and February 16; the Sunday, January 27 performance is at 7 PM; there is an added performance on Tuesday, January 29 and Monday, February 11 at 7:30 PM. Performances are at 13th Street Repertory Company (50 West 13th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues). Tickets are $25. To purchase tickets, visit www.newlighttheaterproject.com. Running time is 80 minutes, with no intermission.