by Nathan Louis Jackson
ITC HONORS BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH “BROKE-OLOGY”
The Illinois Theatre Center of Park Forest will honor Black History Month with an exciting new play by an emerging young African-American playwright. Nathan Louis Jackson’s BROKE-OLOGY opens Friday, January 27 for a three-week run.
The play is the story of William King, who lives in a run-down neighborhood in Kansas City. His older son, Ennis, works in a barbecue joint and has a girlfriend with a baby on the way. The younger son, Malcolm, has just returned home after graduating from the University of Connecticut. The two brothers have to deal with caring for their father, who is in the early stages of multiple sclerosis. Throughout the play, William communicates with the spirit of his wife Sonia, who died giving birth to Malcolm.
Nathan Louis Jackson was a student in Julliard’s graduate playwriting program when BROKE-OLOGY, his first play, was produced at the prestigious Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts in 2008. A year later it opened Off-Broadway at Lincoln Center. His newest play, WHEN I GO TO DIE, opened Off-Broadway earlier this year. Mr. Jackson is a native of Kansas City, Kansas, where BROKE-OLOGY is set, and many of the characters and events in the play are based on his real life experiences.
Razz Jenkins, who returns to ITC after a 28 year absence, plays the father, William. Vallea E. Woodbury, who appeared in CRUMBS FROP THE TABLE OF JOY two years ago, is Sonia, his wife. Portraying the sons are two actors making their ITC debuts, Jonah B. Taylor as Ennis and Marlon Washington as Malcolm, The production is directed by Etel Billig. Here you can read more about kids acting classes Chicago.
BROKE-OLOGY runs from Friday, January 27 to Sunday, February 12. Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, and Sundays at 2:30 & 7:30 PM. Tickets are priced at $22 on Fri. & Sat., $20 all other times. The Illinois Theatre Center is located in Downtown Park Forest at 371 Artists’ Walk (off Indianwood Blvd., adjacent to Village Hall).
January 27 to February 12