BWW Review: The Guthrie Theater's Production of the 60-Year-Old Play TROUBLE IN MIND Starts an Important Conversation that's Still Relevant Today
Friends, something exciting is going on at the Guthrie Theater. In the wake of (not unjustified) criticism about their lack of diversity onstage and backstage, they are currently presenting a 60-year-old play written by Alice Childress, one of the most important female African-American playwrights of the 20th Century, and directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton, the first African-American woman to ever direct on a Guthrie mainstage. And I'm happy to report that TROUBLE IN MIND succeeds on so many levels. First of all, it's hilarious, engaging, and entertaining, and offers a behind the scenes look at the theater world we love so well. But more importantly, it talks about racism, sexism, classism, ageism in a smart and nuanced way that has as much resonance in today's world as it did in the 1950s NYC theater world depicted in the play. I was fortunate enough to attend on a night when there was a post-show discussion with the cast, which just made the experience that much richer. The best and most important work of theater is to start conversations about the world we live in, give voice to everyone's stories, and in doing so help us to better understand our fellow human beings. Trouble in Mind, and the conversations it will hopefully spark amongst its audience, is a fantastic example of that.
BWW Reviews: GEE'S BEND Debuts in DC
From the heart of Elizabeth Gregory-Wilder and the community at MetroStage comes Gee's Bend, an emotive account of a woman and her family living in the bend of Boykin, Alabama during the Civil Rights movement. The story begins with a dream, narrated to us by the play's heroine, Sadie (Roz White). Her story gives insight to the lives of the Pettway women, ladies who brave the trials of segregation and other hardships, not without reminding us of the values they hold dear.
Photo Flash: MetroStage's GEE'S BEND, Now Playing
Gee's Bend by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder and directed by Thomas W. Jones II, music directed by William Hubbard and William Knowles will be in performance at MetroStage tonight, Sept. 12-Nov. 3. Gee's Bend tells the true story of the Pettway family in Gee's Bend, Alabama, as they live through segregation, the Civil Rights Movement and become famous for their iconic quilts. All of this is told with a backdrop of soul-stirring music in the gospel tradition that the Gee's Bend women sang as they quilted. Check out a first look below!
MetroStage Presents GEE'S BEND, Now thru 11/3
Gee's Bend by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder and directed by Thomas W. Jones II, music directed by William Hubbard and William Knowles will be in performance at MetroStage tonight, Sept. 12-Nov. 3. Gee's Bend tells the true story of the Pettway family in Gee's Bend, Alabama, as they live through segregation, the Civil Rights Movement and become famous for their iconic quilts. All of this is told with a backdrop of soul-stirring music in the gospel tradition that the Gee's Bend women sang as they quilted.
MetroStage to Present GEE'S BEND, 9/12-11/3
Gee's Bend by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder and directed by Thomas W. Jones II, music directed by William Hubbard and William Knowles will be in performance at MetroStage Sept. 12-Nov. 3. Gee's Bend tells the true story of the Pettway family in Gee's Bend, Alabama, as they live through segregation, the Civil Rights Movement and become famous for their iconic quilts. All of this is told with a backdrop of soul-stirring music in the gospel tradition that the Gee's Bend women sang as they quilted.
BWW Reviews: ALL MY SONS at the Intiman
Seattle's Intiman Theatre is currently presenting Arthur Miller's post war tragedy, "All My Sons" with a bit of non-traditional casting. And while the casting didn't detract from the story, I didn't feel it lent anything to it either. But my biggest qualm was not with the casting but with the lack of connection happening on stage.
BWW Reviews: ALL MY SONS at the Intiman
Seattle's Intiman Theatre is currently presenting Arthur Miller's post war tragedy, "All My Sons" with a bit of non-traditional casting. And while the casting didn't detract from the story, I didn't feel it lent anything to it either. But my biggest qualm was not with the casting but with the lack of connection happening on stage.
Intiman Theatre Presents ALL MY SONS, 3/18-4/17
Intiman Theatre opens its 2011 Season with All My Sons, written by Arthur Miller and directed by Seattle theatre artist Valerie Curtis-Newton, featuring an ensemble of 10 actors led by veteran performers Chuck Cooper and Margo Moorer. Performances begin Friday, March 18 and continue through Sunday, April 17. Tickets are on sale now to season subscribers and are available to the general public beginning February 7. Purchases can be made at www.intiman.org or 206.269.1900.
In Arthur Miller's Tony Award-winning family drama, the issues that surface are just as compelling today as when the play debuted in 1947. Artistic Director Kate Whoriskey says, 'All My Sons is one of the most beautifully structured plays in the American canon. Miller slowly reveals to the audience how a man of some means and ethics can make a devastating choice that forever alters a community.'
Intiman Theatre Presents ALL MY SONS, 3/18-4/17
Intiman Theatre opens its 2011 Season with All My Sons, written by Arthur Miller and directed by Seattle theatre artist Valerie Curtis-Newton, featuring an ensemble of 10 actors led by veteran performers Chuck Cooper and Margo Moorer. Performances begin Friday, March 18 and continue through Sunday, April 17. Tickets are on sale now to season subscribers and are available to the general public beginning February 7. Purchases can be made at www.intiman.org or 206.269.1900.
In Arthur Miller's Tony Award-winning family drama, the issues that surface are just as compelling today as when the play debuted in 1947. Artistic Director Kate Whoriskey says, 'All My Sons is one of the most beautifully structured plays in the American canon. Miller slowly reveals to the audience how a man of some means and ethics can make a devastating choice that forever alters a community.'
Intiman Theatre Presents ALL MY SONS, 3/18-4/17
Intiman Theatre opens its 2011 Season with All My Sons, written by Arthur Miller and directed by Seattle theatre artist Valerie Curtis-Newton, featuring an ensemble of 10 actors led by veteran performers Chuck Cooper and Margo Moorer. Performances begin Friday, March 18 and continue through Sunday, April 17. Tickets are on sale now to season subscribers and are available to the general public beginning February 7. Purchases can be made at www.intiman.org or 206.269.1900.
In Arthur Miller's Tony Award-winning family drama, the issues that surface are just as compelling today as when the play debuted in 1947. Artistic Director Kate Whoriskey says, 'All My Sons is one of the most beautifully structured plays in the American canon. Miller slowly reveals to the audience how a man of some means and ethics can make a devastating choice that forever alters a community.'
Intiman Theatre Presents ALL MY SONS, 3/18-4/17
Intiman Theatre opens its 2011 Season with All My Sons, written by Arthur Miller and directed by Seattle theatre artist Valerie Curtis-Newton, featuring an ensemble of 10 actors led by veteran performers Chuck Cooper and Margo Moorer. Performances begin Friday, March 18 and continue through Sunday, April 17. Tickets are on sale now to season subscribers and are available to the general public beginning February 7. Purchases can be made at www.intiman.org or 206.269.1900.
In Arthur Miller's Tony Award-winning family drama, the issues that surface are just as compelling today as when the play debuted in 1947. Artistic Director Kate Whoriskey says, 'All My Sons is one of the most beautifully structured plays in the American canon. Miller slowly reveals to the audience how a man of some means and ethics can make a devastating choice that forever alters a community.'
