October 26, 2006

Generational Racism explored in Hambone by Javon Johnson

Performance Dates and Times

Thursday, November 16, 2006 at 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at 8:00 p.m.
Friday, November 17 & 24, 2006 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 18 & 25, 2006 at 8:00 p.m.

The Wayne State University Department of Theatre’s Ph.D. Directors’ Series continuesits 06-07 season with Hambone by Javon Johnson at the Studio Theatre (located downstairs from the Hilberry Theatre on the corner of Cass and Hancock) at 8 p.m. on November 16, 2006. Hambone runs November 16 - November 25, 2006.

Set in a small sandwich diner in Anderson, South Carolina in 1988, Hambone examines the generational and social effects of racial hatred. Written by August Wilson’s protege’, Javon Johnson masterfully uses humor and drama to face the demons of racism that still exist today. Bishop is the owner of the sandwich shop and his only employee, a young African-American man named Tyrone, wants to change his name to Timothy in order to sound more “white” so he can apply for a job in the courthouse downtown. Bishop and his “blood” brother, Henry, are strongly against Tyrone’s change of name and insist that he be proud of who he is.

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(From Left to Right) Daniel Burrell as "Tyrone" and Marteze Phillips as "Bishop."

Playwright Javon Johnson is a native of Anderson, South Carolina and a founding ensemble member of Congo Square Theatre Company in Chicago, IL. He is also a member of The Dramatists Guild, the Writers League of America, the Screen Actor’s Guild, and the Actor’s Equity Association, and an MFA graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and BA recipient from South Carolina State University. Johnson is the recipient of several awards, including the 2004 Black Theatre Alliance Lorraine Hansberry Award for Best New Play and the 2003 New Professional Theatre Playwriting Award. He also received a 2001 Jefferson Award Nomination for Best New Play, and was the 2001 and 1999 recipient of the National Project Award sponsored by Pierians, Inc.’s Pittsburgh Chapter Nomination for Best New Play, and was the 2001 and 1999 recipient of the National Project Award sponsored by Pierians, Inc.’s Pittsburgh Chapter Nomination for Best New Play, and was the 2001 and 1999 recipient of the National Project Award sponsored by Pierians, Inc.’s Pittsburgh Chapter Nomination for Best New Play, and was the 2001 and 1999 recipient of the National Project Award sponsored by Pierians, Inc.’s Pittsburgh Chapter Nomination for Best New Play, and was the 2001 and 1999 recipient of the National Project Award sponsored by Pierians, Inc.’s Pittsburgh Chapter.

Directed by Ph.D. candidate Daryl Davis, the cast includes: sophomore Marteze Phillips (Detroit) as Bishop with sophomore Taurean Hogan (Detroit) as Henry, senior Daniel Burrell (Oak Park) as Tyrone, sophomore James Abott II (Lathrup Village) as Bobbilee, and senior Dan Watson (New Boston) as Harrison. Designers for Hambone include sophomore Katy O’Brien (St. Clair) as scenic designer, freshman Kristal Firman (Ferndale) as costume designer, and junior Stephen Drader (Grosse Pointe) as lighting designer.

Ticket prices range from $8 - $10. Discount tickets are available to all students, senior citizens aged 62 and up and WSU faculty, staff and Alumni Association members. For tickets and further information, please call (313) 577-2972 or visit the Wayne State University box office at 4743 Cass on the corner of Cass and Hancock. Performance information may also be obtained by visiting the company’s website at www.theatre.wayne.edu.

COMING SOON TO THE STUDIO THEATRE: Lobby Hero by Kenneth Lonergan, February 1 - 3 and 8 - 10, 2007