(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- The Barn Theatre is presenting American Son from November 18th through December 4th. In the play, an estranged interracial couple must confront their feelings about race and bias after their son is detained by the local police following a traffic stop incident. Their disparate histories and backgrounds inform their assumptions as they try to find out what happened to their son. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.
The production is directed by Scott Baird and Fallon King. Written by Christopher Demos-Brown. The cast includes Tasha Williams-Arroyo (Union, NJ), Seth Kaplan (River Vale, NJ), Byron Hagan (Whippany, NJ) and Ron Richardson (Maplewood, NJ).
This timely and important piece of theater by playwright Demos-Brown is more than just a play. It is an examination into race, relationships, parenting, mental health, policing and more. Compelling and thought provoking, this piece of theatre allows for the audience members to walk away finding themselves within each character and with a greater sense of compassion and understanding.
Performances take place November 18 at 8:00pm; November 19 at 2:00pm; November 20 at 2:00pm; November 25 at 8:00pm; November 26 at 8:00pm**; November 27 at 2:00pm; December 2 at 8:00pm**; December 3 at 8:00pm; and December 4 at 2:00pm. All performances will be held at The Barn Theatre: 32 Skyline Drive in Montville, New Jersey.
There will be talkbacks after the following 2 performances: Saturday, November 26th at 8:00pm, moderated by Gwen Ricks-Spencer and Friday, December 2nd at 8:00pm, moderated by Lynette Sheard.
Tickets are $23 and available for purchase online. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.
Playwright Christopher Demos-Brown has written over a dozen full-length plays and screenplays. His honors include the Laurents/Hatcher Award, a Steinberg Citation from The American Theatre Critics Association, and multiple regional theatre awards (including two Carbonell Awards, multiple Silver Palms and the inaugural Berkshire Theatre Award for Outstanding New Work). His plays include American Hero, Captiva, Stripped, American Son, and When The Sun Shone Brighter. Chris is a graduate of Dartmouth College and holds graduate degrees from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and The University of Geneva. He is also a practicing trial lawyer and former prosecutor. Chris and his wife, Stephanie, are co-founders of Zoetic Stage, an award-winning theatre in residence at The Adrienne Arsht Center for the performing Arts in Miami, Florida.
Here are more photos from the production.
The play is presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. For more than 15 years, John has photographed live events where he mastered the techniques of timing and capturing fast moving action under challenging lighting conditions. Currently, John has spent the last 3 years concentrating on photographing almost 200 theatre productions for over 70 different theatres. Click here for John's website.
