UIS Theater’s fall production, “Clybourne Park”, explores how racial and social attitudes have changed — and not changed — over the course of the past 50 years.
Written by Bruce Norris, “Clybourne Park” expands and continues the story told by playwright Lorraine Hansberry in “A Raisin in the Sun,” her 1959 drama about an African-American family buying a home in an all-white Chicago neighborhood.
The play opens Friday at the Studio Theatre at the Public Affairs Center at the University of Illinois Springfield (see accompanying information for ticket details).
Director and theater professor Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson, said “Clybourne Park” is classified as a comedy but has “pendulum swings between serious and funny moments.” Following its premiere in 2010, it won the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 2011 and the Tony Award for best new play in 2012.
"It causes us to reexamine what we consider acceptable behavior with regard to race, sexual orientation and gender issues and other issues,” he added. “It shines a light on the things that unite and divide people."
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday and Nov. 14-16, 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Studio Theatre, lower level of the Public Affairs Center, University of Illinois Springfield
Tickets: $14 adults, $12 ages 65 or older with a picture ID, $10 university faculty and staff, $8 students with a valid college ID, $6 ages 17 and under, available at 206-6160, www.sangamonauditorium.org.
The performance was featured by The State Journal-Register on November 8, 2013.
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