Racial struggles of '60s set stage for 'Dutchman,' Nov. 14-22

A tense story of racial strife set in the 1960s by a leading American playwright will be the next mainstage production offered by Grand Valley's Theatre Arts program. 'Dutchman,' LeRoi Jones' moving drama about a tragic confrontation between a black man and a white woman on a New York subway, runs for five performances November 14-22.

This play was written in the turbulent 1960s when racial conflict and the struggle for black rights were at a high point. First performed in New York City in 1964 at The Cherry Lane Theatre, the play received much acclaim and won a coveted Obie Award for excellence in an Off-Broadway production. Grand Valleys presentation will mark the West Michigan premiere of the work.

The show runs November 14, 15, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, November 16 at 2 p.m. at the Louis Armstrong Theatre, Performing Arts Center, Allendale Campus. A reception follows the opening night performance, and a discussion featuring playwright Jones, also known as Amiri Baraka, will be held after the performance on Friday the 21st. The play is in one act, running approximately 40 minutes. Due to adult language and situations, it is not recommended for children under high school age.

Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 faculty/staff/seniors/alumni, and $6 students. Purchase tickets at the Performing Arts Center box office or by calling Tickets PLUS at (616) 222-4000 or (800) 585-3737. For more information, call the box office at (616) 331-2300.

'Dutchman' follows a subway car's journey through the underbelly of New York City, circa 1960s, with an allusion to present day. The main characters are passengers Lula, a Caucasian woman played by student Nykkie Rizley, and Clay, an African-American male played by student Matt Bryant. While other passengers look on, Lula taunts, badgers and ridicules Clay, causing long-buried passions to erupt in a sudden, tragic series of events. Jones leaves audiences to decide for themselves the true causes and implications of the conflict, and to connect the play's themes to current social issues in United States society.

Born in 1934, Jones is one of America';;s most prolific and respected contemporary African-American authors. Since writing 'Dutchman,' he underwent a social and political transformation and changed his name to Amiri Baraka (credit for Dutchman remains under his former name). Regarded as a legend as well as an anomaly, Baraka is a poet, playwright, political activist, Poet Laureate of New Jersey, and leader of the Black Arts Movement. 'Dutchman' -- depicting racial misunderstanding and the African-American struggle -- is considered one of his most touching and provocative pieces.

Director Robin Reese, visiting theater professor at Grand Valley, has employed a combination of realistic acting and stylized dance movements in order to explore themes of racism, violence and sexuality that are present in the work. Reese has recently completed her training in New York at the Actors Studio M.F.A. Program and has written, directed and acted in theater and films in New York City. Her additional training includes work with the post-modern director Anne Bogart and Japanese director Tadashi Suzuki. She describes the acting style of the play as ';;a combination of realism, modern dance, and classical Japanese theater traditions of Noh and Kabuki which make up the theater work of Mr. Suzuki.';;

The student cast includes eight ensemble members and two lead actors. The show is produced by the GVSU School of Communications, with partial sponsorship by GVSUs African/African American Studies and Office of Multicultural Affairs.