Running time: 100 minutes, no intermission
View the Digital Program:
JUNE 9 – JULY 3, 2022
Conceived, Written, and Originally Performed by Anna Deavere Smith
Co-Directed by Adam Immerwahr and January LaVoy
Produced in association with Theatrical Outfit in Atlanta, Georgia
Artistic Director Matt Torney, Managing Director Gretchen Butler
THE GROUNDBREAKING DOCUMENTARY PLAY
August 1991: simmering tensions in the racially polarized neighborhood of Crown Heights erupt into riots after a Black child was killed by a car in the Chabad-Lubavitcher Rebbe’s motorcade and a white Jewish scholar was slain in retaliation. Anna Deavere Smith’s groundbreaking documentary play uses verbatim testimony from individuals throughout the diverse community, creating a nuanced portrait of a shared but divided geography. This theatrical event – performed over 30 years after these life-changing riots – promises a tour-de-force solo performance and a story which touches upon every American regardless of race, color, or beliefs.
“The most compelling and sophisticated view of racial and class conflict that one could hope to encounter.“—New York Times
A limited number of socially-distanced seats are available through the Ticket Office only at 202.777.3210 for the following performances only:
Thursday, June 23 at 8:00PM
Saturday, June 25 at 2:00PM
Thursday, June 30 at 8:00PM
FIRES IN THE MIRROR: Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and Other Identities
January LaVoy* (she/her) is an Atlanta-based actress, best known for her role as Noelle Ortiz-Stubbs on the long-running ABC daytime drama One Life to Live, and her work as a voice actor. She has appeared on and Off-Broadway, in regional theaters across the country, and guest starred on several prime-time network series, including Elementary, Blue Bloods, and N0S4A2. An Audiofile Magazine “Golden Voice” since May 2019, January has an extensive body of work in both narration and commercial voiceover. She has hundreds of audiobook titles to her credit, and her voice has been heard in national campaigns for dozens of products. She shares a 2020 Grammy nomination with Meryl Streep and the cast of the Charlotte’s Web audiobook, in which she plays the title role of Charlotte. She dedicates this production in celebration of the life of Jennifer Leaming Lyons.
Artistic & Production Team:
Directors Adam Immerwahr^ & January LaVoy
Set Designer Nephelie Andonyadis+
Costume Designer Pamela Rodríguez-Montero
Costume Manager Andrew Cutler
Lighting Designer Max Doolittle+
Sound Designer Tosin Olufolabi
Projection Designer Bradley S. Bergeron
Associate Projection Designer Zavier A. L. Taylor
Props Designer Nicholas Battaglia
Production Stage Manager Lauren Pekel*
Assistant Stage Manager Ileana Blustein
Assistant Stage Manager Allison Poms-Strickland
Assistant Stage Manager Lücién Reubens
Production Assistant Jazzy Davis
+Member of United Scenic Artists Local 829
*Appearing through an Agreement between this theatre and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
^The Director is a Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union
Michele and Allan Berman
Bunny Dwin
Rae Grad and Manuel Schiffres
Sandra and Stephen Lachter
Frances Marshall and Lewis Schrager
Howard Menaker and Patrick Gossett
Elaine Reuben, The Timbrel Fund
Bella Rosenberg
April Rubin and Bruce A. Ray
Evelyn Sandground and Bill Perkins
Hank Schlosberg
The Leshowitz Family Foundation, Terry Singer
Richard Solloway
Joan S. Wessel
CREATIVE CONVERSATION
Sunday June 19 following the 2:00 PM performance
An insider’s reflection on the creative process. Artists answer questions and offer insight about design, inspiration, rehearsal, and collaboration.
CAST TALKBACK
Wednesday June 22 following the 7:30 PM performance
Join members of the cast to ask your burning questions about their artistic practice and the production.
SUNDAY SYMPOSIUM
Sunday June 26 following the 2:00 PM performance
Hear from experts on topics related to each production. Theater J invites specialists in their fields to delve deeper into the significance of a play’s history, cultural context, or theme.
We will delve deeper into the history and context of the Crown Heights Riots and how they changed the landscape of the neighborhoods where they occurred. Our Sunday Symposium will be moderated by Sonya Weisburd, the EDCJCC’s Director of the Center for Social Responsibility. We are honored to welcome Associate Professor Terrence L. Johnson and Professor, Center for Jewish Civilization Jacques D. Berlinerblau, both from Georgetown University.
Terrence L. Johnson is Associate Professor of Religion and Politics in the Department of Government, affiliate faculty member of the Department of African American Studies, and senior faculty fellow at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs.
Jacques Berlinerblau is currently the Rabbi Harold White Professor of Jewish Civilization at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.
We will be selling copies of their recently published book BLACKS AND JEWS IN AMERICA during the run of our play