by Deborah Rankin
We've always heard it said that things aren't all black and white - until they are. That's the premise of Clybourne Park, the Pulitzer, and Tony award-winning play by Bruce Norris at the the Centaur Theatre until April 30th. This biting satire directed by Ellen David tackles prejudice and privilege and asks the audience to consider where the truth lies when the lines are drawn.
The action begins in 1959 in Chicago when a middle-aged couple Bev and Russ sell their house to a black family, upsetting the social order in the all-white neighbourhood of Clybourne Park. Fast-forward to 2009, but this time it is a young white couple who plan to purchase the same house from yuppies Lena and Kevin in the now all-black neighbourhood of Clybourne Park.
All the actors play double roles in these two intersecting stories, making for an interesting contrast between the social morés of the 1950's and political correctness today. If you haven't yet seen this provocative take on life in the hood inspired by Lorraine Hansberry's seminal play A Raisin in the Sun then hurry over to the Centaur Theatre in Old Montreal.
Starring Matthew Gagnon, Marcel Jeannin, Liana Montoro, Lisa Bronwyn Moore, Eleanor Noble, Kwasi Songui, Harry Standjofski
"Superb, elegantly written, and hilarious." - The New Yorker
April 4-30, 2017
Centaur Theatre Company
centaurtheatre.com
Box Office 514-288-3161
453 rue St. François Xavier