Dean College’s spring theater and dance season opens this weekend, Feb. 17-20, with award-winning play “Clybourne Park” by Bruce Norris for five performances at Main Stage in the Campus Center.
“Clybourne Park” won the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Lawrence Olivier Award, and the 2012 Tony Award for Best Play. It was inspired by Lorraine Hansberry's play “A Raisin in the Sun (1959),” which is a semi-autobiographical account of a Black family who’s moved into a predominantly white neighborhood in 1940s Chicago. “Clybourne Park” is set during the events of “A Raisin in the Sun” and over fifty years after in a two-act set-up. The play examines themes of race, housing, and aspirations for a better life.
School of the Arts’ Assistant Professor of Theatre and “Clybourne Park” director, Andrew Gallant, provided this comment exclusively to the Dean Daily: “‘Clybourne Park’ is a challenging play in every sense. The subject matter is provocative, the technical demands are massive, and it is an extremely difficult text for actors. Being my first show at Dean, I was not sure what to expect going in. I am so happy to say that everyone - the students, the administration, and my fellow faculty - have risen to this challenge with courage. There is so much talent here.”
“Clybourne Park” opens Thursday, Feb. 17 at 7:30pm with evening performances through Saturday and two 2:00pm matinees Saturday, Feb. 19 and Sunday, Feb. 20. Tickets are $5 for current Dean students, $7 for Dean faculty and staff, $12 for non-Dean students and seniors, and $22 for adults.
Support Dean’s School for the Arts! Tickets can be purchased here: https://ci.ovationtix.com/36211/production/1083609?performanceId=10866491.
Please note all patrons must show proof of vaccine/booster, be symptom-free, wear a mask while indoors, and refrain from eating or drinking in the Main Stage theater.