There’s a chance to catch some great theater this weekend — at no cost at all — with Theatre in the X. The West Philly company will perform “One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show” by renowned playwright Don Evans for a limited-time engagement from Aug. 22 to Aug. 25 at Malcolm X Park.
As a news release describes, the show is a dynamic and poignant comedy that explores the intersections of family, culture and societal expectations. Set in the 1970s, the play centers around the Harris family, a middle-class African American household in Philadelphia, whose lives are turned upside down when their southern, unrefined niece, Beverley, comes to live with them.
Don Evans’ writing on this work has been said to be full of sharp wit and keen insight as it covers themes of class, race, and the quest for identity. ‘One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show’ is also said to be timely in 2024.
“Our brilliantly stunning cast stretches character to explore the nuance of our rich, yet complicated cultural tapestry,” said director Maureen Henighan Booker. Henighan Booker, a seasoned theatre professional, has worked as Assistant Director for some of the company’s award-winning productions like ‘Dreamgirls’, ‘Zooman’ and ‘the Sign.’
“This tapestry is specifically The African American Experience and the deconstruction of the timeless debate, ‘Is it race, is it class or is it pedigree?’ In this comedy, Mr. Evans uses music, emotion, language and robust critique to force us to ‘pay attention to the tension’ to see what it means to really get our needs met as a people, as a community and ultimately as individuals,” Henighan Booker continued.
‘One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show’ features Janan Ashton, Carlo Campbell, Eric Carter, Danielle Shaw-Oglesby, Sharese Salters, Tasha Holmes, Semaja Murphy, and Davon Cochran, and will hold showings at 7 p.m. on the 22 and 23, and 5 p.m. on the 24 and 25.
Audience members should BYOC (bring your own chair) and post up early to enjoy the “block-party” like atmosphere before the show.
This program, like many others from Theatre in the X, helps promote the company’s mission. The creative endeavor was created in 2013 to provide the people of West Philadelphia and the African American community at large the opportunity to see professional quality theater in their own neighborhood for no cost, a release finishes. By removing the barriers of location and price, the audience is able to experience theater that they possibly would not be able to access otherwise.
For more information on the free shows from Theatre in the X at at Malcolm X Park (5100 Pine St, Philadelphia), visit theatreinthex.com
