Source: IRT
The Indiana Repertory Theater (IRT) is currently presenting a play that combines drama, romance and comedy. Written by acclaimed African-American author/playwright Pearl Cleage, author of the best selling novel What Looks Like Crazy on An Ordinary Day and other successful novels and plays Blues for an Alabama Sky and A Song for Coretta has written What I Learned In Paris. A story set in Atlanta 1973, a time when the politics of race, class and gender rapidly transforming Atlanta as they elected their first Black mayor.
Source: IRT
The play says what better time to begin a romantic escapade than during the eve of an historic election? Old loves rekindle and new loves ignite in this expertly funny and delightfully urbane love story. In a special Afternoons with Amos, the director of the IRT Production of Paris and two of the lead actors appeared on Afternoons with Amos to talk about the play, their careers and African-Americans in the theater arts today.
Lou Bellamy
Director Lou Bellamy is one of the country’s pre-eminent African-American stage directors. Bellamy is also Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Penumbra Theatre in St. Paul, Minnesota, where in his 39 year tenure it’s become one of the top stage theaters dedicated to dramatic exploration of the African American experience. And one of the largest theaters of its kind in the country.
Tracey Bonner & David Alan Anderson
Indy native David Alan Anderson plays J.P. Madison in Paris. A veteran of many IRT productions, Anderson has performed at theaters across the country and is part of the Penumbra Theater’s resident company. Anderson has received numerous honors for his body of work. Tracey N. Bonner plays Lena Jefferson. Bonner is a veteran of both stage and television. She even has comedy credentials having performed with the world renowned Second City comedy theater, which has launched careers of many outstanding comedy actors. In the Afternoons with Amos interview, Bellamy, Anderson and Bonner talked frankly about their careers and their craft. Bellamy also talked about the state of African-American theater in America and was enthusiastic about the rising crop not just of talented African-American actors, but also of emerging African-American playwrights. What I Learned in Paris runs until April 12 at IRT with Tickets Available at 317-635-5252 or online DIRECT LINK TO IRTLIVE WEBSITE. On our NEW Media Player, Hear the Afternoons with Amos Interview with the Director and Cast Members of IRT’s What I Learned in Paris. Runs 29 Minutes. ©2015 WTLC/Radio One. Audio Starts After Brief Video Ad
