Is the big game just not your thing? Here are some of RDU on Stage’s theater picks for this weekend.
Conversations I Always Wanted to Have — Burning Coal Theatre Company presents two plays by Obie Award-winning playwright Dael Orlandersmith, Forever and Until the Flood. Both solo plays represent the kind of profound, evocative storytelling in which Burning Coal Theatre Company excels and speak to issues of race, trauma, reconciliation, and forgiveness. Until the Flood will be broadcast on Saturday evening. Forever will be broadcast Sunday afternoon. Each production contains strong language and adult themes (viewer discretion advised). For ticket information visit https://burningcoal.org/.
In Hindsight 2020 — Raleigh Little Theatre is back Saturday night to present the second night of their joint storytelling event with 7-Stories, In Hindsight 2020. The show is a reflective look at the year that was through the eyes of storytellers Jesse Gephart, Rose Higgins, Matt Hurley, Tomas Lopez, Cherrelyn Napue, and Germona Sharp. Viewer discretion is advised. This is a free event that will stream on Raleigh Little Theatre’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel. For more information visit https://raleighlittletheatre.org/events/in-hindsight-2020/.
Blood Done Sign My Name – PlayMakers Repertory Company is streaming Mike Wiley’s solo version of Blood Done Sign My Name. Inspired by Timothy Tyson’s memoir surrounding the 1970 murder of Henry “Dickie” Marrow in Oxford, NC, Wiley “recreates a powerful portrait of the complex and devastating effect of racism on a community” in front of a Zoom audience. This performance was recorded at The Clayton Center last fall and streams on-demand through Sunday. For more information read Kim Jackson’s RDU on Stage review or for ticket information visit the PlayMakers’ website.
Working – In a year when the term “essential worker” has new meaning, it seems right that Friends University would resurrect Stephen Schwartz’s Working. Featuring songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, as well as Stephen Schwartz, Craig Carnelia and James Taylor, the 2012 revised version of Schwartz’s 1978 musical explores the unsung heroes whose work is often taken for granted. Directed by Durham native and NCCU grad Sheldon Sba, the show will stream through Sunday. For more information visit the Facebook Event Page.
John Lewis: A Pioneer for Justice — Friday night, Alton Fitzgerald White (The Lion King, Ragtime) champions the words of John Lewis in the first instalment of Flushing Town Hall’s Black History Trilogy. Following the performance, White will participate in a short question and answer period with the virtual audience. The free event will stream on the organization’s YouTube Channel. For more information, visit https://flushingtownhall.org/black-history-trilogy-1. Hear what White had to say to RDU on Stage last year about his storied career and the pandemic.
Irish Repertory Theatre: Winter Festival — Tony Award-winner Bill Irwin reprises his “bravura” performance in Irish Repertory Theatre’s On Beckett, which is part of the company’s virtual Winter Festival. Geraldine Hughes’ Belfast Blues and Conor McPherson’s The Weir are also streaming this weekend as part of the repertory’s retrospective. Through some clever editing, Irish Repertory is breaking through the limitations of live-streaming and weaving together some technical magic with delightful storytelling. It’s worth taking a gander at this festival which runs through Febraury 21st. For more information visit https://irishrep.org/show/irish-rep-online/theatre-home-winter-festival/.
For a complete listing of Triangle theater events coming up in February, visit the RDU on Stage Calendar Page.