American Moor

 

The Lantern Theater Company is  presenting  the Philadelphia Premiere of Keith Hamilton Cobb’s American Moor through December 8, 2024.  This ‘not -to-be-missed’ presentation stars  Phillip Brown as an Actor and Thane Madsen as a Director.  The Actor, a tall Black man, enters an audition for Othello as a classically trained actor, very familiar with the canons of Shakespeare.  He comes well prepared for the audition. The Director interferes with the  speech immediately; suggests that Shakespeare meant Othello to speak in a different manner and exits the stage.  The Actor is infuriated that a young white director would have a better knowledge of Othello than a Black man who is a  classically  trained actor. In a poignant monologue, the Actor speaks to the audience, stating his case. He walks into the audience  and also jokes with them, developing a strong rapport. The Director returns with another  similar suggestion and quickly makes an exit.  The Actor again has his script in hand on the stage.  After reciting some of Othello’s lines he leaves the stage for a nearby chair and laments in anguish the plight of a Black man who can’t be heard. His torment is palpable. The acting is exquisite. The play’s ending is jaw-dropping.  For more information or tickets to this ‘must see’ presentation, call 215-829-0395 or visit online at www.lanterntheater.org  .