Park Forest, Schools

Porchlight Music Theatre Brings Controversial and Celebrated Musical to Governors State University on March 25


University Park, IL—(ENEWSPF)–March 3, 2017 – It was the legal case that could be considered the fuel that ignited the modern civil rights movement. A train ride to Scottsboro, a tiny town in Alabama, not only changed the course of nine lives but the entire nation. See the true-life story come to life as Porchlight Music Theatre presents its Chicago Premiere production, ‘The Scottsboro Boys’ at Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University on March 25 at 8 p.m.

The thrilling, final collaboration by the creators of Cabaret and Chicago,’ The Scottsboro ‘Boys has been hailed as one of the most visionary and controversial musicals to grace the stages of Broadway and London. Nominated for 12 Tony Awards, and presented in the style of the notorious “minstrel show,” this is the true-life story of nine African American teenagers accused and put on trial for a crime they did not commit. The use of minstrelsy is to demonstrate the dehumanizing effect this kind of gesture had in this old form of show business and how the race relations of the era looked to erase the individuality of certain groups.

Based on the book by David Thompson, and music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb.

Hedy Weiss of the Chicago Sun Times said, “It would not be an exaggeration to say that the entire cast of ‘The Scottsboro Boys’ is brilliant, and together with the vivid direction of Samuel G. Roberson Jr., galvanic choreography by Florence Walker-Harris, fine music direction by Doug Peck, and splendid design (by Andrei Onegin, Richard Norwood, and Samantha Jones), this show easily could hold its own alongside Hamilton.”

In addition, four days before the presentation of ‘Scottsboro Boys,’ a pre-show public forum, ‘Convicted,’ will be open to the community. ‘Convicted’ looks at American Justice from the Scottsboro Boys Trial to the Black Lives Matter Movement.  ‘Convicted’ takes place Tuesday, March 21 at 5 p.m. in GSU’s Sherman Hall.

Tickets and Other Information

Tickets: $38/$28 (depending on seating location) $23 Seniors, $10 Students
Online: www.CenterTickets.net
By Phone: 708-235-2222
In Person at the Box Office: 1 University Parkway, University Park, IL
Box Office Hours: Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (open to 6 p.m. on Thursdays) and 2 hours prior to all performances

Parking is free. For best GPS directions always use the location search term “Governors State University” only.

This presentation is supported by First Midwest Bank and Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

Source: www.govstate.edu

 

 


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