"Emmett Down in My Heart" play for Black History Month

Posted by Carolyn Classen

 

"Tucson Alliance of Dramatic Artists (TADA) presents the winner of their first annual play competition. Sheldon Metz, TADA's artistic director, directs this production, the true story of Emmett Till, the 14-year-old boy who was killed in Mississippi in 1955 for supposedly whistling at a white woman. Emmett's brutal murder triggered unprecedented nationwide coverage, furthered the civil rights movement and inspired Rosa Parks when she refused to move to the back of the bus later that same year".

Featuring Carley E. Preston, Joan O'Dwyer, P.J. Peavy, Candace Bean, Seth Fowler, Victor Bowleg, and introducing André Johnson as Cuz and Kendrick Stallings as Emmett.

February 22 - March 9 Fridays/Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

General admission: $20 Seniors/students: $15 February 21 preview: $15 for everyone

Call for group rates (20 or more) Reservations: Call: 520-722-9553 OR Email: [email protected].

The play is about the intertwined stories of Emmett Till, his grieving mother Mrs.Mamie Till-Mobley, who insisted on an open casket funeral in Chicago "so the world could witness the horrors inflicted on my son", and white school teacher Roanne Taylor, who failed to act when she heard his screams. More about the powerful play at playwright Clare Coss' website: http://www.clarecoss.com/emmett.shtml

Comments

[Gabrielle]

Victor,

This sounds like a wonderful play. I wish we could see it -- just one more reason to miss Tucson! We have close friends who are living in Phoenix for the winter. I know they would like to see it and maybe take the ride down. Their niece is a playwright (Alicia Keys) who wrote the Play, Stick Fly (Google it!).

Thanks so much for keeping me in your loop. I know this play is destined for success, so in the meantime, BREAK A LEG!

Gabrielle Strandquist

[Carolyn Classen]

Thanks for your comment Gabrielle to Victor, who first notified me about this play. He's a terrific actor, whom I've seen in several productions around town. I hope I can squeeze this civil rights play into my schedule before March 9th.