Atlanta area DUers: Go see this play thru Sept. 25 -- The Green Book

[klook]

I saw this play this week: The Green Book at Theatrical Outfit. It's outstanding -- strong story, great cast, excellent production, cool theater (former site of Herren's Restaurant, the first restaurant to voluntarily serve African-American customers in Atlanta). Go see this play! You won't regret it.

Here's a synopsis from the theater's web site:

Set in 1953 Jefferson City, MO, this new drama by Atlanta author and playwright Calvin Alexander Ramsey begins when a black military officer, his wife and a Jewish Holocaust survivor spend the night in a “tourist home” together, only hours before W.E.B. Du Bois is scheduled to deliver a speech in town. Brought together by the “Green Book,” a manual informing African American tourists of safe places to dine and lodge during the tumultuous Jim Crow era, these travelers and their hosts share a dramatic exchange that transforms their lives.

The story of the play and a kids' book on the same topic has also been covered in the NY Times.

Video clip from the play here: http://www.craigmiller.tv/TO_Green_Book_S1.wmv

Ticket info here.

[klook]

1. "was once a kind of Fodor's Black America" - WaPo

The Green Book itself is an amazing story. Thanks to Calvin Ramsey for bringing this little-known American phenomenon to our attention.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/11/AR2010091105358.html

[klook]

2. Held over through Sunday - "riveting, emotional journey"

Just in case anybody happens across this thread, check out this review on atlantatheaterfans.com.

The theater where The Green Book is playing is small and intimate -- the perfect setting for this play. It's downtown right around the corner from the GSU Rialto Theater, and there's plenty of affordable, safe parking nearby.

And all the seats are great; I was sitting near the last row, but could see and hear everything just fine. The seats are "stadium seating" style, so even a beehive hairdo wouldn't block your view of the stage. And The Theatrical Outfit does a totally professional job -- not only an excellent cast and direction, but also the set, lighting, audio, and overall presentation were top-notch.

Another cool aspect was a display in the theater where visitors can see sample pages from the actual Green Book directory, as well as news clippings and other info from the time period of the play. And in the theater lobby is another display with information about the Balzer Theater and Herren's Restaurant.