OLLI GOES TO THE THEATRE

Join OLLI members and their guests at the WVU Theatre and Dance series for the drama Race, by David Mamet, Sunday, October 2, at 2:00 p.m. in the Gladys G. Davis Theatre, WVU Creative Arts Center.

Directed by Jerry McGonigle, Race examines the truths that we tell ourselves in this story of three lawyers who are forced to confront their feelings about race when they’re offered the chance to defend a wealthy white man charged with a crime against a black woman. “David Mamet’s customarily crackling dialogue and startling plot twists are the building blocks of a probing and intelligent look at some of the most controversial and important issues of our time.”  Race was produced on Broadway in 2009 to critical acclaim and controversy; the playwright Mamet states, his “intended theme is Race and the lies we tell each other on the subject.”  

McGonigle has arranged a bring-your-own brown-bag lunch and tour of the play starting at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday at the CAC. This optional preshow event includes a discussion with the director regarding his concept and approach to the show; a tour of the theatre backstage and front of stage; and a tour of dressing rooms and costume shop with a brief visit/conversation with actors as they prepare for the show. A post-show discussion will feature a panel made up of the production’s director, cast members, as well as representatives from the School of Law, English Department, Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion, School of Social Work, and the Black Graduate Student Association.  This panel of experts on race relations within our society will continue a conversation on the issues within the play, and how they tie into currents events across the country. “We welcome our audience to participate in an open dialogue about race relations, cultural bias, and the subsequent affects that they have on justice, truth, and alleged criminal acts,” says McGonigle.

Performance run time is approximately 80 minutes.

Make your payment by cash or check in the amount of $12 per ticket, payable to Stan Cohen, and take or mail it to OLLI at WVU, PO Box 9123, Morgantown WV, 26506-9123. Payment is required no later than Tuesday, September 27, NOON. You can pick up your tickets at the WVU CAC box office prior to the performance.

The play runs September 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday Matinees, September 25 and October 2 at 2:00 p.m. The special panel discussions will be held after the performance on September 29 and October 2. [OLLI discount tickets are available for the October 2 performance only.]