Antigone in Ferguson
About the show
This new project fuses a dramatic reading of excerpts from Sophocles’ tragedy with live choral music performed by a choir of activists, police officers, youth, and concerned citizens from Ferguson and NYC. More…
Opening on September 13 and kicking off Harlem Stage’s 2018/2019 programming season, "Antigone in Ferguson" was conceived in the wake of Michael Brown’s death in 2014, through a collaboration between Theater of War Productions and community members from Ferguson, MO. The performance is the catalyst for panel and audience-driven discussions on race and social justice, the core component of the event. This multifaceted production will offer a glimpse not only into the effects of the tragedy in Brown’s local community, but also the trauma of police violence and racial injustice in communities of color in New York and across the nation.
"Doerries has given the cast a trim hour-long version...Behind them a tip-top band and a choir full of gospel powerhouses sings Phil Woodmore’s wonderful settings of Sophocles’ famous choruses...All is revealed in the crucial second half of the show, a panel and guided discussion...What almost never happens in postshow discussions starts to happen: The conversation retroactively infuses the reading we’ve just seen with more meaning, import, and complexity." Full Review
"The piece becomes a direct reaction to Michael Brown’s murder in 2014, a tragedy that feels inappropriately distant today...From the get go, the production makes it clear that it’s not entertainment, but a lens through which to examine how our reality is oversaturated with violence...If you are looking solely for entertainment (which is not to say this production lacks humor), 'Antigone In Ferguson' is not for you. But if you're open to it, you may well walk away a little more open." Full Review
"In this production, every member of the audience is also a member of a chorus...'Antigone in Ferguson,' specifically, is meant to open the door on the thoughts and feelings aroused by the shooting of the 18-year-old Mr. Brown...With force and focus, they unspooled the events that lead to Antigone’s being sentenced to death...It is the gospel chorus, though, reacting to confrontations among these characters, that viscerally lifts the play into timelessness." Full Review
“The 2014 police shooting of Michael Brown inspired this exuberant concert-style presentation...Doerries’ proficient staging transforms it all into a novel, entertaining and emotionally charged experience...The cast changes weekly...The format is of the cast at music stands with scripts expressively reading...A structured discussion sequence which follows each show...This town hall section revealed some poignant and eloquent insights into topical issues.” Full Review
See it if You love committed and heartfelt singing and acting in an ancient play which is more relevant now than ever. Just amazing performances.
Don't see it if You do not like intense shows with a strong message.
Also This show which has a very limited run has revolving casts (often of T... Read more Read less
See it if ...you enjoy social commentary on relevent events through theatre and music. Beautiful piece. Great acting. Amazing choral pieces.
Don't see it if ...you don't like theatre or current events. Hey, the tickets are FREE and the show is great. How often does that happen? See it.
See it if Epic Greek tragedy stripped to its core dramatically, emotionally & vocally Use of Gospel singers as Chorus inspired & moving Actors excel
Don't see it if Dramatic evening is combined with community action/town hall discussion over #blacklivesmatter issues Potent but maybe not for all tastes
See it if you can see the correlation between a 2500 year old play & the history we are living through at this very moment in time;
Don't see it if you don't believe that those who don't learn from history are condemned to repeat it; don't want to think, period.
Also This is more of a reading than a play- an abbreviated version of Antig... Read more Read less
See it if you are looking for a brief but striking adaptation of a Greek classic, you enjoy storytelling with the aide of song
Don't see it if you don't like Greek tragedies
See it if Trying to make parallels to situations today at least gives it some points
Don't see it if Misses the beauty of Sophocles language - too modern otherwise. The discussion afterwards was more interesting/memorable than the play
See it if You love theater that makes you think, inspires you, wanna see good acting and good singing brought together.
Don't see it if You don't like Greek tragedies (although this will make you change your mind).
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