‘Rhapsody in Black’ to open Tuesday at Crosby Theater
Published 5:00 pm Saturday, October 13, 2018
The Troy Arts Council will present “Rhapsody in Black” at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Claudia Crosby Theater on the campus of Troy University.
TAC President Joel Williams said the one-man show was written and is performed by LeLand Gantt and was developed at New York City’s Actors Studio.
“‘Rhapsody in Black’ is an effort by the Troy Arts Council to reach out to a broader segment of our community,” Williams said. “The show explores LeLand Gantt’s personal journey to understand and eventually transcend racism in America.”
Gantt’s life story began as an underprivileged child in the ghettos of McKeesport, Pennsylvania. As a teenager, he experimented with crime and drugs but was not defined by them. Scholastic achievement and an acting career often dictated that Gantt be in places where he was the only African American.
Williams said in Gantt’s one man show, he will recount how he managed to cope with the various psychological effects of consistently begin marked as different.
“His remarkable story will leave a lasting impression on the audience,” Williams said.
“Rhapsody in Black” is funny while it confronts heavy subjects with all the passion of one who speaks from personal experience.
General admission tickets for “Rhapsody in Black” are $20 and $5 for students with an ID. Tickets will be available at the door.