For the second time in three months, a free production of "Antigone" is coming to Harlem.
Created in response to Michael Brown's 2014 death in Missouri, "Antigone in Ferguson," is set to begin a five-week run at Harlem Stage this Thursday.
This latest staging–translated and directed by Bryan Doerries of Theater of War Productions–combines dramatic readings of Sophocles' tragedy by a rotating group of actors with live choral music composed by Phil Woodmore. It ends with an audience discussion focusing on race and social justice.
The cast, which changes every week, includes Tamara Tunie ("Law & Order: SVU") in Week 1, Adepero Oduye ("12 Years a Slave") in Week 2, and Samira Wiley ("Orange Is the New Black") in Week 3, to name just a few. The choir consists of activists, police officers, and youth from both Ferguson and New York City.
Earlier this summer, the Classical Theatre of Harlem performed "Antigone" in the outdoor auditorium in Marcus Garvey Park. Punctuated by music and dance, it too found parallels between the Greek tragedy that begins with Antigone's brother lying dead in the street and the many injustices that sparked the Black Lives Matter movement.
"Antigone in Ferguson" is free with RSVP and runs from Thursday, September 13 to Saturday, October 13. To reserve your ticket, go to harlemstage.org.
Top image courtesy of Theater of War Productions; bottom photo by David Andrako.
