A Heated Discussion- Revisited at Los Angeles Theatre Center

One year ago, we presented a World Premiere play, A Heated Discussion, a drama that resonated powerfully with our audiences. Some people saw it more than once. Others wanted to, too. Those who didn’t get to see the play in its initial run, hoped we would bring it back.

            A Heated Discussion -Revisited is a revision and a re-statement of the earlier work, incorporating national and world events that have impacted us in the succeeding year. These events impact the narrative of our show as well. Fifty percent of our cast is also new.

            A Heated Discussion -Revisited reunites the creative duo of award-winning playwright Levy Lee Simon (The Magnificent Dunbar Hotel; For the Love of Freedom: The Haitian Trilogy) and acclaimed director Ben Guillory (who is also Co-founder and Producing Artistic Director of The Robey Theatre Company).

Living in these turbulent times of political, social and racial unrest, imagine what would happen if historical icons of the past were summoned by three Yoruba African Orishas, to offer their commentary on what is going on in today’s world. What would that encounter yield? This is what occurs in, A Heated Discussion-Revisited. The icons are: Malcolm X, Zora Neale Hurston, Lorraine Hansberry, Dr. Martin Luther King, Maya Angelou, Tupac Shakur,  Ida B. Wells, Dr. Francis Cress Welsing, James Baldwin, Bob Marley, Nina Simone, Richard Pryor and lastly a mysteriously powerful figure who may offer the solution. Given that they are all very passionate, vocal and controversial their encounter can only be heated when they discuss the status of Black America today. What will they say? What choices remain, for what many feel are the most troubled times for Black people in America since the 60s? It will be a provocative, smoldering urgent discussion that is desperately needed. What solutions will arise to resolve police killings, systemic racism, historical bias and the violent enmity that fuels these acts?  Some of the solutions will shock you or maybe not. “Open your ears” and Welcome to A Heated Discussion----------------- Revisited.

            The cast includes Lorenz Arnell, Kimberly Bailey, PhiLip Bell, Christina Childress, Alex W.S.T. Chumley, Marcus Clark-Oliver, Dmetrius Conley-Williams, Monte Escalante, Ben Guillory, Julio Hanson, Rosie Lee Hooks, LaShada Jackson, Ayonna Michele, Charyse Monet, Swisyzinna,  Damon Rutledge, Shanae Sharon and Anderlyn Smith.