In this episode, we are back at the Pittsburgh Public Theater to talk about their upcoming production of Trouble in Mind by Alice Childress.
Director Justin Emeka and lead actress Shinnerrie D. Jackson, spoke about bringing this play to life in Pittsburgh. They discuss how the playwright refused to re-write the ending to produce it on Broadway in the 1950s, leading to its eventual production almost 70 years later in 2021. Their production at the Public will feature the original ending written for the Off-Broadway production.
Justin talks about the story of the play, following a Black actress's stardom in a new 'progressive' play in 1955, and how culture clashes with the director threaten to derail the play. Shinnerrie talks about how playing Wiletta Mayer is like playing King Lear for her. Both reflect on the personal connections they feel with this story, and how it might just be the pinnacle of their careers.
You can see Trouble in Mind at the O'Reilly Theater from Wednesday, February 5th to Sunday, February 23rd.
Visit https://ppt.org/production/94381/trouble-in-mind to learn more and find tickets. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted
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