American Saga Gunshot Medley: Part 1

Playwright Dionna Michelle Daniel dedicates  her play to three anonymous slaves whose graves are marked only by their first names:  
Betty: May 2, 1860
Alvis: April 2, 1860
George: Nov 26, 1850 

Brought to life, Betty (Cherise Boothe), Alvis (Derek Jackson), George (Donathan Walters) awaken the story of violence and discrimination set  in the "Hereafter" ...  the aforementioned's final resting place scenic design created by Priti Donde with lights by Tom Brown. 

Sounds of gunshots ring out with bright flashes  driving Betty to her knees only to rise up and continue to scrub the stage floor again and again.  Somehow she recovers and resumes her scullery. 
Jackson's high spirited young Alvis tries and tries again to lift Betty into a happier life, but life in these times is not much fun.  Musically underscored by the beautiful High Priestess (Sha’Leah Nikole Stubblefield), she  greets the audience as we enter.  

Sha’Leah Nikole Stubblefield and Cherise Boothe Photo by Cristian Kreckler

Three musicians play in silhouette, reminiscent of 19th Century profile portraits crafted by expert scissors artists: Gerald C. Rivers on bass, Ann Polednak on banjo and Crissy Joyce on violin underscore the movements of the play and of the gospels sung by the High Priestess. 

Daniel's play is a strong polemic to underscore the fact that even today, prejudice and attempts by society to keep African Americans underfoot unfolds as present day martyrs appear.. Martin Luther King  and Trevon Martin .. gunned down in silhouette. It's a sad reminder of our American saga still on the road to freedom. Directed by Desean Kevin Terry, the story gives hope that we may  still maintain our goals: for all to rise equally with  mutual respect for one another in the United States of America.  
 

Rogue Machine Theatre presents 
American Saga    
Gunshot Medley: Part 1

by Dionna Michelle Daniel 

MET Theatre

1089 N. Oxford Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90029

Opened  Saturday September 8, 2018

Plays Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays at 8pm

Sundays at 2pm 
additional performance 
added on Thursday, September 20 at 8pm

Through September 23, 2018

 

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Continuing at the WLCAC Theatre

10950 S Central Ave 
Los Angeles, CA 90059

From October 5, 2018
 Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm 
Sundays at 2pm through October 14th

Tickets and information:
Group discounts:
AmericanSagaGroupTix@gmail.com  855-585-5185 
 https://www.roguemachinetheatre.net