What: “The Spirit of Frederick Douglass,” the world premiere reading of a new play by Denver’s Larry Bograd
When: 7 p.m. today, 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: University of Denver’s Newman Center
Performers: Shadow Theatre Company, backed by the 75-member Spirituals Project choir
What’s the big deal: The inaugural collaboration between two of Denver’s most prominent black arts groups.
What’s the story: The play draws from the speeches and letters of Douglass, the groundbreaking 19th-century American leader whose message of human rights, social justice, and struggle remains vibrant. It will be performed by Jeffrey Nickelson and Hugo-Jon Sayles
Says the playwright: “Douglass suffered neither hypocrites nor fools, and told the truth how the church, Congress, and the founding fathers all knowingly contributed to slavery in this country. It promises to be a rousing, thought-provoking world premiere.”
If you can’t go: Nickelson and Sayles will also perform a modified version of the play with 12 choir members from Nov. 30-Dec. 9 at the Emerson Center, 1420 Ogden St.
Tickets: $22-$35 (free Friday for students with reservations)
Information: 303-871-7993 or 303-830-8497 (call 303-837-9355 for tickets to the later run).
– Compiled by John Moore
