An award-winning play that tackles themes of racism will be performed at Wealthy Theatre over the next two weekends.
Set during one tense night, with a cast of just four characters, American Son takes place in a Florida police station while an estranged bi-racial couple await news of their son’s whereabouts. Described as “a gripping tale of two parents caught in our national divide, with their worst fears hanging in the balance,” the timely piece explores the complexities of race and identity– and the realities of being Black in America.
The original Broadway show, which featured Kerry Washington, Steven Pascale, Jeremy Jordan and Eugene Lee, garnered this review from the New York Times:
“With its unrelentingly high tension on every level – maternal, marital, societal – it’s more like a slice of a nightmare, with few contours despite its surprises.”
The play was then adapted into a film featuring the same four actors in a Netflix production released in 2019, with the tagline: “There’s been an incident.”
American Son was awarded the 2016 Laurents/Hatcher Award for Best New Play by an Emerging Playwright (Christopher Demos-Brown).
American Son is being presented as part of BAM Talent’s “Season of Umoja” under an arrangement with Concord Theatricals and Samuel French, Inc. June 16-25 at the historic Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids.
Directed by Darius Colquitt and featuring performances by Donica Lynn, Steve Madar, Victoria Baughman and William Gearring, the 90-minute/one-act play costs $30 to attend.
To purchase tickets, click here.
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