MDC playwright Darren Canady will be playing Langston Hughes in Theatre Lawrence's "Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?" streaming online this weekend.
The subject of this riveting and unusual drama is the infamous House Un-American Activities Committee hearings in the 1950’s, in which figures from the world of show business were subpoenaed to testify as to their loyalty as Americans and asked to name any and all communists or suspected communists in their industry. This speculative drama about the clash between art and politics celebrates the legacy of Langston Hughes and his literary activism in the face of oppressive power. Set in the poet’s Harlem apartment on the night before his 1953 appearance before the House Un-American Activities Committee, the play weaves together musings, impassioned diatribes and Langston Hughes poetry.
written and conceived by Carlyle Brown
directed by Piet Knetsch
Performances (online, streaming only)
7:30 PM | Friday, Feb 5th, Saturday, Feb 6th, and Sunday, Feb 7th
2:30 PM | Saturday, Feb 6th and Sunday, Feb 7th
Season Flex Ticker Holders: Please call the the Box Office (785) 843-7469 M-F 9:30-4:30 to use our concierge service to make your reservation for the performance date of your choice.
Cast:
Langston Hughes……Darren Canady
Roy Cohn…..Daniel Denton
Sen. Dirksen…..Jim Tuchscherer
Sen. McCarthy…..Dan Heinz
David Schine…..Michael Ostermann
Frank Reeves…..Mario Bonilla
Alternates: Tony Console and Ryan Hamlin
