“Diamond Dick: The Tulsa Race Riots of 1921″ Returns to the Green Zone this Weekend
Diamond Dick: The Tulsa Race Riots of 1921 is part of a 17-play series, Soulographie, written by Erik Ehn, that intends to portray “a spiritual history of the United States in the 20th Century from the perspective of its genocides, in which it was directly involved or in which it abetted.”
Each of the 17 plays are currently showing around the country under the direction and production of independent theater companies and artists; Diamond Dick, which originally premiered at The Green Zone in April of this year, is back in production for a special 3-performance-only weekend, right before the cast and crew join the rest of the series in New York.
Project X: Theatre’s Raphael Parry directed Dallas’ installment of the series, which details the false arrest of Dick Rowland, an African American shoe-shiner accused of sexually accosting Sarah Paige in an elevator, and the riots that followed his arrest. The play merges documentary-like testimonies with dreamy readings, live music and film.
Earlier reviewers praised Diamond Dick when it first premiered in Dallas, saying:
“Much of the play is like an intricate dance, and…represents Erik Ehn’s vision beautifully…The Tulsa Race Riots of 1921 cannot be accurately described in words – it must be seen and felt to obtain its full effect on you.” – Mary L. Clark, Pegasus News
“When Project X: Theatre takes Diamond Dick to New York in November, Dallas will be represented by some astonishing stagecraft. The show also reasserts Raphael Parry’s status as one of our great directors of contemporary experimental theater.” – Lawson Taitte, The Dallas Morning News
“It stirs emotions from sorrow to anger, and keeps the audience engaged throughout its 70 minutes. Simply put, it’s powerful theater.” – Mark Lowry, Theater Jones
If you’d like to see what’s it’s all about, stop by The Green Zone at 161 Riveredge Drive at one of the following times:
October 26, 8 p.m.
October 27, 3 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Advanced tickets are $20 and General Admission tickets are $15 at the door. The box office opens 45 minutes prior to show time, or you reserve your tickets by calling Connie Gold Parry at 214-697-1995.
Also, if you happen to be in New York in mid-November, the entire Soulographie cycle will be playing at La Mama in NYC from Nov. 11 to 18.
