A local story. A Hancher commission
Sean Christopher Lewis
and Working Group Theatre, Mayberry
Friday–Saturday, April 27–28, 7:30 pm;
Saturday-Sunday, April 29, 2 pm — Riverside Theatre
A Saturday, 2 pm performance has been added. Order tickets now.
All evening performances and the Sunday matinee will have talk back sessions with members of the cast immediately following the performance.
Upcoming Related Events
"Return to Mayberry" — Wednesday, May 2 at 5:00 pm at the Iowa City Public Library, Meeting room B. The event will serve as an opportunity to see the power of storytelling in community building and in constructing an understanding of ourselves and our world. Students and community members will share storytelling projects before a community discussion about the value of storytelling and community-engaged learning. Mayberry playwright Sean Christopher Lewis will participate in this event.
The Coalition for Racial Justice is planning a variety of community events focused on racial justice in Johnson County over the next several weeks. Information about upcoming events and opportunities for direct action will be posted to their Facebook page.
Questions? Contact Erin Donohue at erin-donohue@uiowa.edu or 319-335-0009.
Imagine a Midwestern community—a relatively small, overwhelmingly white, well-educated, and culturally-engaged college town, perhaps—that prides itself on its acceptance of diversity. Then imagine an influx of immigrants from a neighboring metropolis coming to that community, bringing with them new opportunities as well as new challenges.
Hancher has partnered with playwright Sean Christopher Lewis and Working Group Theatre to create Mayberry, a new work that will explore the impact of Iowa City's increasing African American population. It's an Iowa story with national implications, asking how, in an enlightened world, do we embrace and engage in true discourse about living together in communities in transition. Mayberry includes adult language and themes.
"And my mom called me and said, 'You gots to escape Chicago honey and come to Iowa. It's like Mayberry out here.' And I said, 'Mom! There ain't no black folks in Mayberry...'"
This event is supported by an anonymous family foundation and the Hancher Partners.
