The Rose Theater's Four Directions multicultural theater troupe presents The Independence of Eddie Rose, a courageous Native American production about the trials of domestic abuse, in the Hitchcock Theater (2001 Farnam Street), April 22 - 25. Performances are Thursday, April 22 at 7pm; Saturday, April 24 at 4:30pm and Sunday, April 25 at 2:00 and 4:30pm. Tickets are $6 each and are available at the door or by calling The Rose Box Office at (402) 345-4849. Show content is recommended for audiences age 13 and up.
The Independence of Eddie Rose tells the story of a teenage boy confronted with the challenges of family alcoholism and domestic violence. Eddie is forced to choose between the learned way of a broken society and traditional values of the Red Road. While pursuing self-discovery, he saves his younger sister and, with the help of his aunt's wisdom, works to save his family.
"Through this production, we hope to provide a story for dialogue to follow-for people to find courage through the act of emancipation that occurs in the character of Eddie Rose," said director Sheila Rocha.
The script was written by William Yellow Robe, Jr., a member of the Assiniboine Nation. Yellow Robe's work has been presented at The Rose several times in the past due to his poignant writing and productions which represent the Native American experience for youth and adults alike.
For Native Americans, youth suicide is the second leading cause of death and occurs as a result of intergenerational trauma and a failed reservation system. Unemployment, infant mortality and diabetes are the highest in the country. Consequently, pain and violence are pandemic.
"The Independence of Eddie Rose demands that all communities look deeply into their closets and call out the hidden demon of despair," said Rocha.
The play will be performed by primarily Native American adults, many of whom are survivors abuse or alcoholism. The Four Directions troupe is committed to sharing a story about the people who continue to battle a repressive reservation system.
"This production was chosen because it challenges the silence and demands a call for action," said Rocha. She hopes to raise funds to take the production to the Omaha, Winnebago and Santee reservations in Nebraska. "Youth of all cultural backgrounds need to see examples of courage and survival in the face of abuse; Eddie Rose does just that."
The Independence of Eddie Rose will be presented in the Hitchcock Theater on the fourth floor of The Rose, 2001 Farnam Street, on Thursday, April 22 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 24 at 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, April 25 at 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 each and are available at the door or by calling The Rose Box Office at (402) 345-4849. Show content is recommended for audiences age 13 and up.
Each performance will be followed by a short discussion with a panel of specialists who can field questions regarding domestic violence and abuse and describe services available in the metropolitan area.
In addition, the production on Thursday, April 22 will be followed by a musical performance by "Indigie Femme," an internationally acclaimed female acoustic duo from Santa Fe, New Mexico. Their music merges the language and sounds of the Navaho/Diné, Maori and Samoan cultures to celebrate women and healing.
The Rose's 2009/2010 Multicultural Theater and Teens ‘N' Theater seasons are sponsored by the Mammel Foundation and the Nebraska Arts Council.
More information on the Rose Theatre can be found
here.
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