The Centre Theater and Iron Age Theatre Present THE LIFE OF JOHN HENRY, Opens 11/6
By: Gabrielle Sierra Nov. 04, 2009
The Centre Theater and Iron Age Theatre present THE LIFE OF John Henry by Chris Braak
"And he died with a hammer in his hand!" One of the most famous American folk tales comes to life in a world premier drama this fall. The legend of John Henry, the steel driving man, who raced and beat the machine, resonates through the ages. In this new drama by Norristown native playwright Chris Braak, the legend comes to life in a powerful play that strips away the myth and looks at the real social, political and racial issues that still haunt America.
"The Life of John Henry" opens November 6 and runs through November 29 at the Centre Theater, Norristown's professional theater at 208 DeKalb St. in downtown Norristown. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketleap.com. Call 610-279-1013 for reservations and information or visit the web at www.ironagetheatre.org.
The story of John Henry and his race against the machine has been told in dozens of folktales and hundreds of songs. Based on the lives of the countless real men who lost their lives laying the railroad tracks and drilling tunnels that helped build this country, the story is woven into the culture of America. The theme of an honest man pitting his sweat and heart against a soulless machine still strikes a powerful cord in a society ever more homogenized and dependent on technology.
In association with the production, Iron Age Theatre is sharing regular updates about the production process and the themes of the play. The production blog can be found at http://ironagetheatre.wordpress.com/. It is a great resource either before or after the show.
There will be a talk back with the author on November 7.
The Life of John Henry by Chris BraakFriday-Sunday November 6-19 at
the Centre Theater in Norristown
610-279-1013
Support the arts in Norristown.
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