Tag Archives: Dominique Morriseau

DETROIT ’67 is next play for UA Little Rock Theatre and Dance Department

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UA Little Rock theater students, from left, Taylor Green, Tre Whitley, Keith Harper and Char Dupins, rehearse scenes from the upcoming production of Detroit 67, which opens Feb. 27, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Krain.The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Department of Theatre Arts and Dance will present a production of “Detroit ’67” Feb. 27 to March 3. The play is winner of the Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama Inspired by American History

“Detroit ‘67” is a powerful play, written by Dominique Morisseau, that unfolds an explosive moment in American history – the race riots that ravaged the city of Detroit in 1967, all set to a vibrant soundtrack of the day’s Motown music.

In 1967 Detroit, Motown music is getting the party started, and Chelle and her brother Lank are making ends meet by turning their basement into an after-hours joint. But when a mysterious woman finds her way into their lives, the siblings clash over much more than the family business. As their pent-up feelings erupt, so does their city, and they find themselves caught in the middle of the ’67 riots.

Lawrence Smith, assistant professor of theatre history, directs the play featuring Taylor Green, Char Kendall Dupins, Tre’ Vaughn Whitley, Keith Harper, and Abby Jo Windsor. Additional crew members include Stage Manager Crystal Briner, Scenic and Lighting Director William Marshall, and Costume Designer Yslan Hicks.

The play will be held in the Haislip Theatre in the UA Little Rock Center for Performing Arts on the following days and times:

  •      Wednesday, Feb. 27: 7:30 p.m.
  •      Thursday, Feb. 28: 7:30 p.m.
  •      Friday, March 1: 7:30 p.m.
  •      Saturday, March 2: 7:30 p.m.
  •      Sunday, March 3: 2:30 p.m.

General admission tickets are $10 each, while tickets for UA Little Rock employees, students, seniors, and members of the military are $5. Tickets can be purchased online.

On the fourth day of ACANSA…..

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Acansa day 4The fourth day of this year’s ACANSA Arts Festival offers dance, theatre, music and art!

 

The Urban Bush Women – 7pm (North Little Rock Middle School Auditorium) $20 (general admission); $50 (The Story Continues); $10 students/military

The Urban Bush Women (UBW) keep history alive by presenting dancers that tell stories from the perspective of women in the African diaspora.  This non-profit dance company, based in Brooklyn, New York was founded in 1984 by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar.  This group of seven women have performed their diverse pieces across the USA, Europe, Asia and Australia.  UBW previously presented at Spoleto USA and other festivals and received a number of honors including the Capezio Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance and the Doris Duke Award for New Work from the American Dance Festival to name a few.

“Blood at the Root” – 8pm (Argenta Community Theatre) $30 (general admission) $15 (students/military)

Based on a true story of the Jena Six, Blood at the Root, written by Dominique Morriseau, is a play that touches on many social issues. Directed by Steve Broadnax, head of the Pennsylvania State theatre program, this play has received international acclaim on its tours through South Africa, Scotland and Australia. It is an exciting piece of work that breaks traditional convention. It speaks to where America is right now racially, economically, and socially. It is also a fun show with musicality, and an emphasis on movement. The inclusion of many different perspectives makes for an exciting, thought provoking performance. Please note: This performance contains strong language.

“Avant-Garde Late Night: Rocktown Distillery with Amasa Hines” – 9pm (Rocktown Distillery) $20 (general admission) 

Join ACANSA’s Avant-Garde at the Rock Town Distillery to dance to the music of Amasa Hines.  Amasa Hines is a seven piece, Little Rock, Arkansas based band whose sound is as big as their influences are wide. Their influences come from a diverse range of Soul, Afro-Beat, Psychedelic, Blues, Dub, and Indie Rock. Refreshments will be served including beer and wine.  Cocktails available for purchase.

A Little Poetry: The Art of Alonzo Ford will be on view until October 25, 2015 in the Arkansas Arts Center’s Sam Strauss, Jr., Gallery.

The Angela Davis Johnson Exhibit will be on display at the Argenta Gallery all day today (and through October 12). It has free admission as well.

 

Day 2 of ACANSA offers Laughs, Learning, Thrills and Thought-Provoking Moments

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Acansa day 2The second day of this year’s ACANSA Arts Festival offers theatre, dance, music and art!  Four different stages offer opportunities to experience unique performances.

The Hot Sardines – 8pm (Clinton Presidential Park Lawn) $20 (reserved seating), $50 (includes Jazz Cafe), $10 (lawn only)

Take a blustery brass lineup, layer it over a rhythm section led by a stride-piano virtuoso in the Fats Waller vein, and tie the whole thing together with a one-of-the-boys front woman with a voice from another era, and you have the Hot Sardines. (We haven’t even told you about the tap dancer yet.)

“The Dork Knight” – 9pm (Arkansas Rep Black Box, 550 Main) 9pm

Jason O’Connell brings an iconic interpretation of his relationship with Batman through the years. His impersonations are so lifelike that if you close your eyes, you would swear you were in the room with Christian Bale or Jack Nicholson. O’Connell keeps audiences in rapt attention, at times laughing hysterically or mesmerized in complete silence and he takes you with him on this journey with Batman.

“Blood at the Root” – 8pm (Argenta Community Theatre) $30 (general admission) $15 (students/military)

Based on a true story of the Jena Six, Blood at the Root, written by Dominique Morriseau, is a play that touches on many social issues. Directed by Steve Broadnax, head of the Pennsylvania State theatre program, this play has received international acclaim on its tours through South Africa, Scotland and Australia. It is an exciting piece of work that breaks traditional convention. It speaks to where America is right now racially, economically, and socially. It is also a fun show with musicality, and an emphasis on movement. The inclusion of many different perspectives makes for an exciting, thought provoking performance. Please note: This performance contains strong language.

PUSH Physical Theatre – 7pm (North Little Rock Middle School Auditorium) $20 (general admission), $10 (students/military)

Seeing award-winning PUSH Physical Theatre is like watching a live-action movie. This talented group of performers inspires awe with physical illusions and gravity-defying, dance-infused, acrobatic high-jinx.

PUSH’s repeated sold-out performances have established them as the masters of physical storytelling.

Earlier in the day – at noon, there is a Lunch and Learn at the Albert Pike Memorial Temple.  It will feature a tour of the building and a chance to learn about its history. This program is free.

The Angela Davis Johnson Exhibit will be on display at the Argenta Gallery all day today (and through October 12). It has free admission as well. A reception will take place this evening.

ACANSA preview – Theatre

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The second annual ACANSA Arts Festival runs from September 16 to 20.  It will feature a variety of art forms at a variety of venues downtown.  This week, we will preview some of the acts.  Up first – theatrical offerings.

ACANSA Late Night - The Dork Knight
Thursday, September 17 and Friday, September 18, Jason O’Connell returns to Little Rock and brings his one man show The Dork Knight.
O’Connell brings an iconic interpretation of his relationship with Batman through the years. His impersonations are so lifelike that if you close your eyes, you would swear you were in the room with Christian Bale or Jack Nicholson. O’Connell keeps audiences in rapt attention, at times laughing hysterically or mesmerized in complete silence and he takes you with him on this journey with Batman.
Little Rock audiences have seen O’Connell on stage at Arkansas Rep in All My Sons, Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure, and Frost/Nixon. He was most recently here in Clybourne Park.
Both performances begin at 9:00 pm and will take place in the Rep’s Black Box space in the new Creative Corridor location in the 500 block of Main Street.
Blood at the Root

Based on a true story of the Jena Six, Blood at the Root, written by Dominique Morriseau, is a play that touches on many social issues. Directed by Steve Broadnax, head of the Pennsylvania State theatre program, this play has received international acclaim on its tours through South Africa, Scotland and Australia.

It is an exciting piece of work that breaks traditional convention. The show speaks to where America is right now racially, economically, and socially. It is also a fun show with musicality, and an emphasis on movement. The inclusion of many different perspectives makes for an exciting, thought provoking performance. Please note: This performance contains strong language.

Show time is 8:00 pm for all performances. They will take place at the Argenta Community Theatre.

Tickets to both events, as well as festival passes, can be purchased at the ACANSA website.
For more information, 501-663-2287 or email admin@ACANSAartsfestival.org