[NEohioPAL] Thomas Gibbons A HOUSE WITH NO WALLS at Karamu January 23 - February 14, 2009

[performingarts at karamu.com]

A House With No Walls by Thomas Gibbons

The Midwest Premier of A House With No Walls by Thomas Gibbons, directed
by Terrence Spivey, Karamu’s Artistic Director, premieres in Karamu’s
Arena Theatre, Friday January 23-Sunday, February 14.

Inspired by real life events in Philadelphia, the play dramatizes the
conflict between a conservative African American academic and an
ultra-liberal, Afro-centric political activist as they battle over a
proposed site for a new American Liberty Museum, which happens to be on
the grounds of George Washington’s Philadelphia home and slave quarters.

A House With No Walls is the final play of a trilogy that also included
bee luther hatchee and Permanent Collection.  Karamu is one of a few
theatres throught the country that have produced all three plays.
Performing in this production is County Commissioner/actor Peter Lawson
Jones as Salif Camara, recent Karamu House Hall of Fame "On The Rise"
inductee Katrice Monee Headd as Cadance Lane and  convergence-continuum
Artistic Director Clyde Simon as Steven Gardner.


Execerpts from Rave and PAN Review 1/24/09
Christine Howey

Perhaps the mere presence of President Obama will help put that particular
demon to rest. But there are many other political-philosophical conflicts
within the black community, framed as conservative vs. liberal arguments,
that are aired in A House with No Walls, now at Karamu...

Gibbons writes crisp and powerful dialogue that believably sketches the
opposing viewpoints of blacks today...

Peter Lawson Jones conveying strength and purpose, along with a sly sense
of humor, as Salif...

Katrice Monee Head is equally forceful as Cadence, making er
“conservative” points with no less passion...

Taresa Willingham as Oney registers the helplessness of her status in
life...the bone-deep humiliation is palpable...

James S. Hakim gives Austin a quirkily energetic yet vulnerable quality
that is quite amusing, even endearing, and serves the character well...

A House With No Walls
Through February 15 at Karamu,
2355 East 89th Street, 216-795-7077
www.karamu.com