Written by David Mamet, Race is the enticing legal story
that faces controversial issues including sexual assault, gender discrimination
and race.
The drama begins when a wealthy white man is charged with
raping a young black woman. He goes to the law office of a small firm in hopes
they will represent him. The firm’s partners, one white, one black and their
new female employee, grapple with the decision. As Martin Luther King Jr. once
said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that
matter.” These raw performances on controversial topics are brought to light
with witty and provocative dialogue that will push boundaries.
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| Jonnique Peters as Susan, Brennan Thomas as Charles Strickland, Andre McGraw as Henry Brown and Doug Blackburn as Jack Lawson |
Some of the actors give a little insight to their
characters. Doug Blackburn who plays Jack Lawson, the white attorney and
partner in the firm, describes his character as a showman who’s like a bulldog
that never backs down from a good fight. “He does not shy away from
confrontation and always says what he believes the truth to be,” said Doug.
Jonnique Peters who plays Susan, the female employee at the
firm, describes her character as fresh out of law school. “She believes she can
be a warrior. Idealism still hangs upon her like morning dew,” said Jonnique.
Why should audiences come watch this production? Doug said,
“[The play is written by] one of the greatest playwrights of our generation
with topics told through incredible dialogue that is so rarely and bluntly
approached in theatre. Remember to keep your mind open when watching this
production,” said Doug.
Jonnique has similar thoughts. “An attentive
observation and intellectual engagement is needed among the audience,” said
Jonnique.
Doug has enjoyed his time working on this production. “The
discussions that have arisen, such as making sure we all understand the context
of each scene has been a great experience,” said Doug.
Jonnique has enjoyed her
time too. “I've been away from the theatre for a long time so being cast in
Race is like starting over again. I'm the newbie! Working with the director and
actors who are so good at what they do has been equally exhilarating and
terrifying,” said Jonnique. “I love watching them work.”
Amy Lane, the director, has enjoyed working with this script
and actors. “The playwright, David Mamet, offers so much to the actors: great
characters, high-stakes storyline, exciting twists and turns. His language is
usually stripped down to essentials, but so rhythmic and precise. It's a real
challenge for actors. As a director, it's exciting to guide a group of actors
through the story,” said Amy. “I think audiences will be surprised at how their
views of the characters and their perceived innocence or guilt shift throughout
the play,” said Amy.
“There [are] so many
lines that we believe are resolutely fixed between right and wrong, black and
white, good and evil, and I think David Mamet, the playwright, has gone to great
lengths to ensure that everyone leaving the theatre is left with a world of
realities to consider, ideas to wrestle with and truths to discover,” said
Jonnique.
Don’t miss this thought-provoking production,
Race, May
9-June 8 in the Howard Drew Theatre. Tickets are $35 for adults and $21 for
students. For groups of 12 or more, adult tickets are $23 and student tickets
are $15. For more information, call (402) 553-0080, visit the Box Office or
click here.
After the Show
A talk back with the cast and crew will be Friday, May 23
immediately following the performance. Post-show discussions facilitated by
Peggy Jones, associate professor of Black studies at UNO, will be held after
the performances on Sunday, May 25 and Sunday, June 8.
This production contains strong language and adult
situations intended for mature audiences.
Story by Yoyo Ma
Peggy Jones, (M.F.A., University of Nebraska-Lincoln) is an associate professor and past interim chairperson of the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Black Studies department, a member of the Graduate and Women's and Gender Studies faculty and the Nebraska Humanities Council Speakers Bureau.
