The Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company of Detroit presents Dutchman by Amiri Baraka
The Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company of Detroit presents Dutchman by Amiri Baraka, directed by LoriGoe Nowak and with live electronic music score by Charles Nowak, from October 23 – November 22, 2009 at the Furniture Factory in midtown Detroit.
Amiri Baraka’s Dutchman premiered in 1964 in Greenwich Village, winning an Obie Award. It was the last play that Baraka would stage under the name LeRoi Jones and coincided with the playwright’s increasing involvement in Black Nationalism. Through characters mired in racism and guilt, the play forces us to take a hard look at our own prejudices and assumptions. Controversial from the beginning, Dutchman has no less serious an impact today than it did at the time of its first production.
Sitting aboard a subway train, Clay, a young black man, is approached by Lula, a young white woman. Their ensuing banter ranges from playful to deadly serious and even incendiary, until the play reaches its shocking and violent climax. Audiences will be struck by the evident racism seething in both characters, by their frankness, and by the end result of the conversation. Never one to tiptoe around controversial matters, Baraka has given us a play that will provoke no less heated discussion today than it did 45 years ago.
“We are at war with Identity,” says director LoriGoe Nowak. “There is an inner struggle that manifests itself either as real violence or as destructive passivity. This play exposes the travesties of both.”
The cast includes A. Mikel Allan, Daniel Burrell, Edmund Jones, Anthony Kisner, Ramona Lucius, and Frannie Shepherd-Bates. Kevin Beltz exhibits his scenic design.
The Furniture Factory is located at 4126 Third Street, Detroit, MI 48201. Reservations are available via phone at 313.408.7269, email at frannie@magentagiraffe.org, or at the door the day of the performance. Tickets are $18/$15 Students. Discounted rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Dates are:
Friday, October 23, at 8 pm
Saturday, October 24, at 8 pm
Sunday, October 25, at 3 pm
Friday, October 30, at 8 pm
NO PERFORMANCE HALLOWEEN
Sunday, November 1, at 3 pm
Friday, November 6, at 8 pm
Saturday, November 7, at 8 pm
Sunday, November 8, at 3 pm
Friday, November 13, at 8 pm
Saturday, November 14, at 8 pm
Sunday, November 15, at 3 pm
Friday, November 20, at 8 pm
Saturday, November 21, at 8 pm
Saturday, November 21, at 10:30 pm
Sunday, November 22, at 3 pm
Audiences may wish to take advantage of one of this season’s promotions:
Season Pass for One Person $60
Student/Industry Season Pass $50
“Repeat Offender” Offer: Pay to see the show once, and want to see it again? Return with at least one person paying General Admission and see the show for free.
For additional information on the production of Dutchman, contact Frannie Shepherd-Bates or visit www.magentagiraffe.org.
