Arts Note: 'The Mountaintop,' 'The Wiz' among Black Rep's 2013 offerings
A world premier, a couple of local premieres and an old favorite are on the list of plays to be presented by the Black Repertory Theatre of St. Louis next year.
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After opening Jan. 9 with the 1930s family drama “The Piano Lesson,” the Black Rep presents the St. Louis premiere of “The Mountaintop,” the story of Martin Luther King Jr.'s last night before his Aug. 3, 1968, assassination, in Memphis’ Lorraine Motel.
“The Whipping Man,” the tale of a wounded Confederate soldier, two ex-slaves and their Jewish faith, is another St. Louis premier. Closing the season will be a return of “The Wiz.”
Leading up to the Black Rep’s 36th mainstage season is a collection of fall 2012 events. From Sept. 21-30, actor Patrese McClain will reprise the 16 characters of Nilaja Sun’s “No Child” at the Edison Theatre. Then, for two weeks starting Oct. 25, the Black Rep will commemorate the 20th anniversary of its Grandel Theatre location with a presentation of “Anne and Emmett.” The play tells of a meeting of Anne Frank and Emmett Till in a place called Memory.
On Nov. 1-11, in conjunction with The Missouri History Museum, the Black Rep will premier “Facing the Shadow,” about a life-and-death choice facing The Free Women of Color Literary Society in pre-Civil War Baltimore.
The newly announced fall 2012 through spring 2013 schedule:
- Sept. 21-30 “No Child”
- Oct. 25-Nov. 4 “Anne and Emmett”
- Nov. 1-11 “Facing the Shadow”
- Jan. 9-Feb. 3 “The Piano Lesson”
- Feb. 13-March 10 “The Mountaintop”
- March 20-April 13 “The Whipping Man”
- April 24-May 19 “Smash/Hit"
- May 29-June 30 “The Wiz”
