Anna Deavere Smith's THE BASIL BIGGS PROJECT Will Premiere in Philadelphia Tihs Summer
Performances will take place at Philadelphia's Wilma Theatre for two days only, June 26–27.
In honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary, playwright, actor and professor, Anna Deavere Smith has written an original play for ArtPhilly’s What Now: 2026 Festival, The Basil Biggs Project. Performances will take place at Philadelphia's Wilma Theatre for two days only, June 26–27.
The Basil Biggs Project traces the life of Smith’s great, great, grandfather, a farmer, veterinarian and prominent Gettysburg figure. Biggs received a contract to disinter and rebury the Union dead following the battle of Gettysburg - the bloodiest of the Civil War.
Though a prominent figure in his community, it appears that Biggs did not read or write. Smith uses available archival material to imagine how the Biggs family and their friends met the challenges of a tumultuous and transformative time.
Directed by Leonard Foglia, and in collaboration with designer Ann Hould-Ward, The Basil Biggs Project is emblematic of Smith’s longstanding mission, which is to integrate historical fact and artistic imagination to weave individual stories into cohesive reflections which celebrate American resilience and inspire discussion.
Biggs is produced in conjunction with theater artists LaNeshe Miller-White and Zuhairah McGill and historian Andrew Dalton, CEO of the Adams County Historical Society. The Basil Biggs Project has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.
|
Brian Henson's Puppet Up! Ensemble Arts Philly - Miller Theatre (9/29-9/29) |
|
Jim Henson's Labyrinth: In Concert 40th Anniversary The Keswick Theatre (9/25-9/25) |
|
Kalliope's Comedy Road Trip Next in Line Comedy (9/12-9/12) |
|
Be Like Blippi Tour! Keswick Theatre (12/11-12/11) |
|
The Book of Mormon (Non-Equity) Forrest Theatre (1/26-1/31) |
|
Fast Times: 80’s Concert Experience Bristol Riverside Theatre (11/04-11/08) |
|
ACTION开拍 Asian Arts Initiative (9/22-9/26) |
|
The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show The Dinner Detective Philadelphia (9/26-9/26) |
|
Your Best Odd Girl Out Plays & Players Theatre (9/17-9/19) |
|
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors Bristol Riverside Theatre (10/06-10/25) |