THE THANKSGIVING PLAY Comes to The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television in October

Performances run October 11 - 22, with a preview performance on October 8.

By: Sep. 26, 2023
THE THANKSGIVING PLAY Comes to The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television in October

 The School of Theatre, Film & Television will present The Thanksgiving Play, a satirical comedy from playwright Larissa FastHorse (Sicangu Lakota Nation), Oct. 8-22 in Tornabene Theatre.

The Thanksgiving Play follows a troupe of well-meaning theater artists whose attempts to put on a culturally sensitive Thanksgiving school pageant go awry. The play is presented in repertory with The Laramie Project.

From its debut, The Thanksgiving Play connected with audiences and quickly built momentum. By 2019, it was one of the top 10 most-produced plays in the United States. The play made its Broadway debut earlier this year, making FastHorse the first Native American woman known to have a play produced on Broadway. 

TFTV’s production of The Thanksgiving Play is directed by guest director Randy Reinholz. An enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Reinholz is the founder and Artistic Director Emeritus of Native Voices at the Autry, the nation’s only Equity theater company dedicated exclusively to the development and production of new plays by Native American, First Nations, and Alaska Native playwrights. 

"In the beginning, folks wondered if this comedy about Thanksgiving – the most misunderstood Native American holiday traditionally told by non-Native Americans – could have this many race observations and still be funny,” said Reinholz.

“It turns out that The Thanksgiving Play has lots of laughs and plenty of medicine. We hope that audiences have a great time, and perhaps come away wondering: what if Native people had more forums for stories, what else might we know, what laughs might we share, and what harm might be prevented?" 

Cast member Alyssa DiRaimondo (BFA Acting) added, “Working with Randy Reinholz on The Thanksgiving Play has been an incredibly inspiring process. This play dives heavily into the injustices that Native Americans face and since none of the cast identifies as Native, we were all a bit apprehensive on how to navigate our way through the play. Randy listened to our fears and made sure to create a welcoming rehearsal space where we all could ask questions and learn together. I will forever be grateful for his lessons, vulnerability and never-ending support.” 

This production will have 8 performances between Oct. 8 - 22, including a special post-show discussion with the director and cast on Friday, Oct. 13. Ticket discounts are available. This production qualifies for our free student ticket program. 


BroadwayWorld Awards Voting

RELATED STORIES - Phoenix

1
Review: SCROOGE! at Arizona Theatre Company Photo
Review: SCROOGE! at Arizona Theatre Company

Arizona Theatre Company's adaptation of SCROOGE! ~ the most notable element missing in this largely unsuccessful adaptation is any sense of a true Dickensian backdrop. Runs through December 30th.

2
Review: LES MISERABLES at ASU Gammage Photo
Review: LES MISERABLES at ASU Gammage

BWW Contributor Timothy Shawver's take on the North American Tour production of LES MISERABLES: A solid rendition of the epic musical and a talent showcase for performers and designers. Runs through December 10th at ASU Gammage in Tempe, AZ.

3
Legendary Count Basie Orchestra And Carmen Bradford Come To Phoenix For Sarah Vaughan Cent Photo
Legendary Count Basie Orchestra And Carmen Bradford Come To Phoenix For Sarah Vaughan Centennial, February 24

Celebrate the Sarah Vaughan Centennial with The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra on Feb 24. Don't miss this incredible jazz performance!

4
The Musical Instrument Museum to Present MusicaNova Orchestras FINISHED UNFINISHED Photo
The Musical Instrument Museum to Present MusicaNova Orchestra's FINISHED UNFINISHED

MusicaNova Orchestra presents 'Finished Unfinished' at the MIM. Learn how to purchase tickets!

More Hot Stories For You

Videos


POTUS, OR BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE in Phoenix POTUS, OR BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE
Stray Cat Theatre (12/01-12/16)Tracker
The Barber of Seville in Phoenix The Barber of Seville
Symphony Hall (1/27-1/28)
5CLADBA for sale online, Buy 5cladba precursor online,  in Phoenix 5CLADBA for sale online, Buy 5cladba precursor online,
5CLADBA for sale online, Buy 5cladba precursor online, (8/29-10/28)PHOTOS
A Winnie-The-Pooh Christmas Tail  in Phoenix A Winnie-The-Pooh Christmas Tail
Valley Youth Theatre (12/01-12/23)
It's a Wonderful Life in Phoenix It's a Wonderful Life
Don Bluth Front Row Theatre (11/16-12/30)
Peter and the Starcatcher in Phoenix Peter and the Starcatcher
Valley Youth Theatre (2/09-2/25)
The Arizona Nutcracker in Phoenix The Arizona Nutcracker
Madison Center for the Arts (12/17-12/17)
The Arizona Nutcracker in Phoenix The Arizona Nutcracker
Madison Center for the Arts (12/16-12/16)
Don Giovanni in Phoenix Don Giovanni
Symphony Hall (4/20-4/21)
Romeo & Juliette in Phoenix Romeo & Juliette
Symphony Hall (3/02-3/03)
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You