University of Richmond Stages First All African-American Play, Tony Award-Winning Playwright Samm-Art Williams' Home, November 17-19, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 20, 2005 at 2 p.m., Alice Jepson Theatre
November 7, 2005
The University Players, in conjunction with the Department of Theatre & Dance at the University of Richmond, presents a history-making staging of Home, a highly poetic comedy about the orphaned Cephus Miles, a black southern American farm boy. Aggrieved by the loss of loved ones, saddened by the rejection of his childhood sweetheart and jailed for refusing to fight in the Vietnam war, he heads north to the fast city. Shortly thereafter the harshness of urban life leads to destitution and alcoholism. Pulling himself together, he returns home to South Carolina and settles back on the land. Despite his struggles, he never loses his joyous goodwill, indomitable spirit, belief in God and the conviction that one day his quest for fulfillment will be rewarded. A powerful, triumphant and moving story, Home was first produced in 1974 on Broadway and received numerous awards including a Tony nomination as Best Broadway Play.
Home is directed by the University of Richmond’s newest internationally acclaimed director, Chuck Mike, associate professor of theatre. Originally from Brooklyn, Mr. Mike has lived and directed in London and Nigeria for 30 years, and his work spans the globe. This is his homecoming production, and an historic one, as well. Home stars the University of Richmond’s own Stephanie Chandler, the University’s Actors’ Equity Association artist-in-residence d.l. Hopkins, and VCU graduate student Shanea N. Taylor. Mr. Hopkins has been seen most recently in the Barksdale Theatre’s Cyrano d’Bergerac and Melissa Arctic. Ms. Taylor was in the Dogwood Dell production of Adam and Eve and the Richmond Shakespeare Festival’s 2005 production of Romeo and Juliet.
The Modlin Center for the Arts is located on the campus of the University of Richmond in Richmond’s West End. Tickets are $15 with discounts for seniors, students and University alumni, faculty, staff and students. For tickets, directions or more information, visit http://modlin.richmond.edu or call the Modlin Center Box Office at (804) 289-8980.