Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), currently celebrating its third season in its new state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick is proud to present the New England premiere of Jeff Stetson’s fascinating and dramatically compelling play, The Meeting from January 28 – February 15.
This eloquent play depicts the imagined meeting of two of the most significant men of modern times: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. Differing in their philosophies, but alike in their desire for equality, the two men debate their conflicting approaches to the same grave social problems. Both understand they may have to give their life for their beliefs, but neither is aware of how soon their assassins’ bullets would await them. In time to celebrate Black History Month, this thought provoking play takes an intimate look at two larger than life figures.
“The conversation that takes place within the confines of this play is more relevant than ever,” said Ocean State
Theatre Company’s Producing Artistic Director, Amiee Turner. “The hope for peace and civil justice are still at the forefront of peoples’ consciousness, just as it was over 50 years ago. The goals are still the same. It’s the approach which creates the issues – non-violence, of which Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an advocate or doing ‘anything necessary,’ as was the belief of Malcolm X.”
Directed by Producing Artistic Director Amiee Turner, who returns to the helm after directing this season’s productions of My Fair Lady and Dial M for Murder, the cast includes Damron Russel Armstrong, who returns to Ocean State Theatre after being seen as Tom Collins in RENT and Henry Brown in Race during OSTC’s inaugural season. Mr. Armstrong will portray the role of Malcolm X. Marcus Denard Johnson whose New York appearances include roles in Henry V, The Tempest, Love’s Labour’s Lost, The Exonerated, This One Time in
Last Chance, Much Ado About Nothing, and Hamlet will play Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Rounding out the cast, in the role of Rashad, is New York actor, Tony Mitchell.
The Meeting will be presented at Ocean State Theatre from January 28 – February 15. Previews are scheduled for Wednesday, January 28 at 7:30 pm and Thursday, January 29 at 2:00 and 7:30 pm. All other performances will be held Wednesday (except February 4), Thursday (except February 12), Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm, with matinees on Thursdays (except February 12), Saturdays at 2:00 pm (except January 31) and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Several student matinees, supported in part by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, have been scheduled throughout the run. Interested educators should call (401) 921-1777 x112 for availability.