As part of its family-friendly 20th anniversary season, the Theater Alliance is reviving a show it produced more than 15 years ago: The Bluest Eye, adapted from Toni Morrison’s novel by Lydia R. Diamond.
The production takes a historical look at issues such as loneliness, self-awareness and ideals of beauty – issues that young people today continue to grapple with, amplified by the ubiquity of social media platforms.
Eleven-year-old Pecola Breedlove, a black girl in 1940s Ohio, wants nothing more than to be loved by her family and schoolmates. Blaming her dark skin for the mockery she endures, she prays for blue eyes, sure love will follow.
The stage adaptation of Morrison’s acclaimed novel invites audiences to reflect on how they have internalized ideals of beauty, whiteness and other societal constructs that isolate us from one another.
Directed by Otis Cortez, this production stars Ramsey-Zöe Amiah Marshall, Emmanuel Kyei-Baffour, Pauline Lamb, Melanie A. Lawrence, Tre’mon K. Mills, Khalia Muhammad, Nikki Owens and Devin Nikki Thomas.
This production, which opens on June 2nd, takes up the acclaimed 2006 production directed by David Muse, who is now Artistic Director of the Studio Theatre. The earlier production was one of the first to direct Diamond’s adaptation, and received both popular and critical acclaim.
“In this anniversary year, we wanted to consciously honor our history,” says Raymond O. Caldwell, Theater Alliance’s Producing Artistic Director. “This was one of the early productions that laid the foundation for what Theater Alliance is today.”
Through its Radical Neighboring Initiative, the Theater Alliance strives to create a community where everyone feels welcome in the theatre. Name-Your-Own-Price tickets are available online for each performance to ensure anyone wishing to experience the work can do so.
Theater Alliance Season 20 is made possible through support from the Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, The Share Fund, The Prince Charitable Trusts, The DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, The MidAtlantic Arts Foundation and The Black Seed Fund. Season 20 is generously sponsored by David and Jean Heilman Grier.
POUR
PECOLA Amia Marshall
CLAUDIA Melanie A. Lawrence
WOMAN. BREEDLOVE Nikki Owens
FRIEDA/DARLENE Khalia Muhammad
MAMA Pauline Lamm
Maureen Peel Devin Nikki Thomas
SOAPHEAD Emmanuel Kyei Baffour
CHOLLY Tre’mon Mills
CREATIVE TEAM
Scenic design Tiffani Sydnor
Lighting design John Alexander
Sound design Justin Schmitz
Costume design Danielle Preston
Features Design Martin Bernier
Intimacy choreographer Tiffany Quinn
Assistant director Genny Ceperley
Associate Lighting Designer Jerrett Harrington
Production Stage Manager Jared Shamberger
Tickets, including Name Your Own Price, are available at Click Here.
The health and safety of our artists, patrons and staff are of the utmost importance. The Theater Alliance keeps abreast of the latest recommendations from the CDC, as well as the latest safety guidance from the Actors Equity Association. Specific guides for visitors to each show will be released closer to the performance dates to ensure the latest information is incorporated.
