Iron Age Theatre&
The Montgomery County Cultural Center
Present
Iron Age Theatre
&
The Montgomery County Cultural Center
Present
Iron Age Theatre presents the Philadelphia premier of “Coming of the
Hurricane”
by Keith Glover.
The play is a tragic and triumphant look at slavery, the Civil War, bare
knuckle
boxing and race relations in Maryland just after the Civil War.
Keith Glover is one of the best young African-American playwrights working
today.
Glover started his career as an actor studying with Lee Strasseberg. He had
parts in
a number of movies and T.V. shows as well as acting onstage. He began writing
while he was acting in regional theatres.
“Coming of the Hurricane” is his second play, written in 1994. He was
nominated
for a Pulitzer Prize for his 1997 drama “In Walks Ed.” In 1999 he wrote and
directed “Thunder Knocking on the Door,” a wildly successful musical drama
about
the blues. “I come from a family of storytellers in small town Alabama,”
Glover
said. “There, the spoken word is something paramount. Being able to tell
stories to
explain your experience was something that was taught and held in high
esteem.”
Douglas J. Barnes of Philadelphia plays Crixus. Most recently he appeared as
Satin Strutthers in Freedom Theatre’s “Sparkle.The Musical” Robert Anu
appears as Shadow Jack. Robert is a respected member of the Philadelphia
theater community having worked with Venture Theater, The Wilma, Interact,
and Arden. Michael Way plays Cayman and also appeared in "Sparkle: the
Musical"
Playing John “Hurricane” Blaine is Fabrizio Ruta of Philadelphia. Ruta has
performed with Wings Theater and had worked in commercials and film.
Tiffany Joyner of Philadelphia, plays Kazarah. Joyner appeared as Bernice in
"The Piano Lesson" for the Wilmington Drama League and Mama Euralie in "Once
on the Island."
The intense and ultra-realistic fight scenes in the play are being
choreographed by
Payson Burt of Los Angeles. Mr. Burt has written several books on stage combat
and teaches workshops across the country. He has choreographed fights and
movement for playwright August Wilson when Wilson has directed his own plays. Burt is the vice president of the Los Angeles Fight Academy.
Original music is being created from period spirituals and folk music by Jazz
musician Chris Hansen of Colorado. Hansen most recently played the famous
Denver music venue “Red Rocks.”
The show runs October 26 through November 18 at the Montgomery County
Cultural Center in Norristown. Showtimes are 8 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2
p.m. Tickets are $16 and $12.
Directed and Designed by
The play tells the story of Crixus, an ex-slave who fought countless boxing
matches
to the death for his owner. Escaping the horrors of slavery by fleeing with
his friend
and trainer Shadow Jack, Crixus joins the Union Army to fight against the
south.
When the play opens the war is over and Crixus is trying to make a new life
for
himself and his young wife. Unscrupulous people, both black and white, try to
pull
him back into boxing to make money off his reputation of never losing a fight.
A fight is arranged with John “Hurricane” Blaine, an ex-confederate soldier
who is
re-tracing all of the battles of the war and fighting all comers to prove the
south
should have won. Reluctantly Crixus is drawn into a web of deceit and faces
“The
Hurricane” in a fight to the death with everything at stake.
"Glover says he is working towards a new theatrical vision. A vision that is
about the
nation’s culture, for the culture and to enrich the culture. He said his goal
isn’t to
preach to white America or highlight black suffering, but to tell stories
about shared
experiences for all people.
Rounding out the cast are Steve McLean,Nakia Dillard, Chuck Wilson. McLean,
and Iron Age Veteran was last seen at the Adreinne in Love, Valour,
Compassion." Dillard was has worked with the American Music Theater Festival
and Freedom Theater.. Wilson recently appeared in "ASSASSINS!" and played
Archibald in the Centre Theater's production of "The Secret Garden."
Randall Wise & John Doyle
October 25 - November 18, 2001
