CLYBOURNE PARK Begins This Weekend at Two Muses Theatre

Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris is a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play that is sure to stimulate much debate on social issues - past and present. It plays at Two Muses Theatre from tonight, June 5 through June 21.

Following the matinee performance on Sunday, June 7th, there will be a panel discussion with local activists and a talkback providing an opportunity for audience members to express their fears, frustrations, hopes, and reflections about our Motor City and the many changes it has experienced over the past 50 years.

This provocative play, both hilarious and appalling, deals with race, real estate, and the volatile state of each, now and in the past. It draws fascinating parallels between the two acts that are set 50 years apart, and one talented ensemble of actors plays two sets of characters. Act One is set in 1959 as nervous neighbors try to stop the sale of a home to a black family. Act Two takes place in the same house, but in present day, and the predominantly African-American neighborhood battles to hold its ground in the face of gentrification. This fascinating Pulitzer Prize-winning script will be talked about long after the audience exits the theater, as they wonder just how far we've actually come, and how little we've changed in the last half-century. The Pulitzer Prize jury described Clybourne Park as "a powerful work whose memorable characters speak in witty and perceptive ways to America's sometimes toxic struggle with race and class consciousness."

The issues over time are strikingly similar. On Sunday June 7th, Two Muses Theatre will host a talkback following the matinee of Clybourne Park to allow audiences the opportunity to discuss the parallels between the gentrification and racial issues explored in the play and similar issues experienced by Detroiters and Michiganders at large. The panel will feature local artists and activists who will share their own thoughts and reflections as well as foster conversation for the audience to share their own ideas.

Director Diane Hill said the play, not to be confused with Palmer Park, has not been performed in this part of the state. "The script attracted me because it is a kind of spinoff of Lorraine Hansberry's 1959 play A Raisin in the Sun. It's smart, funny and will keep the audience laughing in spite of the controversial and touchy subject matter. It's an important play for mature audiences only."

John Boufford (Livonia) plays Russ/Dan, Dani Cochrane (Detroit) plays Betsy/Lindsey, Travis Reiff (Ferndale) plays Karl/Steve, Brenda Lane (Northville) plays Bev/Kathy, Ramona Lucius (Detroit) plays Francine/Lena, Phil Rice (West Bloomfield) plays Albert/Kevin, and Matios Simonian (Ferndale) plays Jim/Tom/Kenneth.

Two Muses Theatre, a nonprofit professional theatre dedicated to increasing opportunities for women in theatre, has an intimate 130-seat performance space located behind the Starbucks Cafe? wall, attached to the Barnes & Noble at 6800 Orchard Lake Road in West Bloomfield (south of Maple). Patrons who arrive early can shop for books and gifts, grab a snack or dinner at Starbucks, and enjoy their coffee drinks inside the theatre.

Performances run weekends, June 5-21 on Friday and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoons. General admission advance tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for students and senior citizens (62+) or $2 more at the door. Discounted advance tickets may be purchased online at www.TwoMusesTheatre.org/tickets or by phone at 248- 850-9919 during box office hours, Monday through Saturday from 10am-5pm. Credit card fees apply. Tickets are not sold through Barnes & Noble and may only be purchased in person one hour prior to each performance. Doors open 30 minutes prior to each performance. There is ample free parking and handicap accessibility.

Panelists for Sunday, June 7 Talkback on Race and Gentrification:

- Carolyn Ferrante is a Detroit-based performance artist with a passion for social justice and equality issues.

- Jack Watkins is a local activist and speaker who educates and engages with the public on current events surrounding issues of race.

- Arlene Frank is an activist in her Detroit neighborhood and for the City's sustainable, positive, and inclusive growth, supporting new business, new art and culture ventures.

- Deborah Smith Pollard, Ph. D. is a Professor of English Literature and Humanities at University of Michigan-Dearborn campus and the director of the African and African American Studies Program.

- Odey K. Meroueh is the principal attorney at The Law Firm of Odey K. Meroueh. He has extensively studied civil rights law, constitutional law, and human rights law.

- Diane Hill, Ph. D. is the Executive/Artistic Director of Two Muses Theatre and the director of Clybourne Park.

Pictured: In 2009: Kathy played by Brenda Lane (Northville), Lindsey played by Dani Cochrane (Detroit), Steve played by Travis Reiff (Ferndale), Lena played by Ramona Lucius (Detroit), and Kevin played by Phil Rice (West Bloomfield), Tom played by Matios Simonian (Ferndale).

To post a comment, you must register and login.