“Arguably the most successful Black theatre group in the world,” (American Theatre) the Negro Ensemble Company performs a new production of Douglas Turner Ward’s Day of Absence, marking the 60th anniversary of when the group premiered the work off-Broadway. Described as a reverse minstrel show, with Black actors in whiteface, the play tells the story of an average Southern town that awakes to find all its Black residents have disappeared. “Ward’s wit is scathing” (The New York Times) in this comedic and pointed commentary on systemic racism that still bears relevance today.
Day of Absence performances will include the world premiere of Remaining Absent, a short epilogue by Cris Eli Blak. This companion piece will feature actors from the Day of Absence cast.
Mali Obomsawin Quartet (1/26/25-1/26/25)
Benjamin Bagby & Sequentia: Gregorius – The Holy Sinner (1/30/25-1/30/25)
Minty Fresh Circus (1/31/25-2/1/25)
Shemekia Copeland (2/7/25-2/7/25)
RUBBERBAND: Reckless Underdog (2/14/25-2/15/25)
Rafiq Bhatia with Chris Pattishall (2/23/25-2/23/25)
Penn Live Arts is at Harold Prince Theatre, Penn Live Arts/Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6219 , Philadelphia, PA.
Seo Jungmin: One, My Utopia! (11/24/24-11/24/24)
Limón Dance Company (11/22/24-11/23/24)
Ben Folds: Paper Airplane Request Tour (11/16/24-11/16/24)
Abdullah Ibrahim Trio (11/10/24-11/10/24)
The Gesualdo Six (11/7/24-11/7/24)
Zakir Hussain & Rahul Sharma (11/3/24-11/3/24)
Sweet Honey in the Rock (10/27/24-10/27/24)
SLAM! (10/25/24-10/26/24)
For Crying Out Loud (10/18/24-10/19/24)
re:CREATION (9/27/24-9/28/24)
Videos
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Keswick Theatre (3/27 - 3/27) | ||
Postmodern Jukebox
Keswick Theatre (12/12 - 12/12) | ||
Darlene Love
Keswick Theatre (12/13 - 12/13) | ||
American Moor
Lantern Theater Company (11/7 - 12/15) BUY NOW & SAVE | ||
Murmuration
Penn Ice Rink (12/13 - 12/14) | ||
Small Ball
Suzanne Roberts Theatre (6/6 - 6/29) | ||
Agora de la danse: Koros – VR Experience
Annenberg Center Feintuch Family Lobby (1/24 - 1/26) | ||
The Christmas Candy Caper
Bird-in-Hand Stage (11/1 - 12/28) | ||
Kiss Me, Kate
Quintessence Theatre (11/27 - 1/5)
PHOTOS
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