As we enter the second weekend of celebrations commemorating Black History Month, Grand Rapids has two distinct dramatic arts events worth considering.
The first is a dramatic reading of Jeff Stetson's play
The Meeting performed by the area's premier theatrical arts group devoted to the Black theater arts and education programming opportunities, the
Ebony Road Players.
The Meeting imagines a chance encounter between Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X and what they might have discussed in private had these two leaders spent an hour or so together. Under Stetson's pen we are treated to a culturally rich examination of these two icons, a look at their distinct leadership styles, and the way they might have interacted once in private. You may be shocked at what you hear on stage via the actors' presentation.
There are a series of performances this week around the city where you can view
The Meeting, with Thursday night's reading at Aquinas and Friday's final performance at LINC.
The other theatrical event worth noting here is the Friday night musical production
King: A Reflection on the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.
King is a mash-up of spoken word and musical performance with playwright/librettist Sandra Seaton, tenor George Shirley, and pianist Stanley Waldon.
Joining this prestigious cast will be guest performers including Grand Rapids Police Officer tenor Wally Trett, and tenor Daniel Washington, who is professor of voice at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater, and Dance.
Admission: Free