BY BTL STAFF
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In honor of 25 years performing, Detroit's Matrix Theatre Company has released its four unique performances for the 2015-2016 season. The opening performance for the season, "A Kid Like Jake," highlights gender identity and privilege as a heterosexual couple wrestles with their young son's desire to dress up as Cinderella. Other highlights include the world premier of Caridad Svich's play, "agua de luna (psalms for the rouge)" and the Midwest premier of Robin Bradford's "Low Hanging Fruit."
{BOLD "A Kid Like Jake"
By Daniel Pearle
Sept. 18-Oct. 11}
Alex and Greg have high hopes for their son Jake, a precocious 4-year-old and a viable candidate for admission to Manhattan's top kindergartens. When Jake's affection for Cinderella and dress-up is scrutinized, his behavior becomes erratic and a ripple effect of consequences follows. This story of a husband and wife attempting to do right by their son examines the complexity of parenthood and challenges assumptions about gender, privilege, class and what it means to be "normal."
{BOLD "The Velocity of Autumn"
By Eric Coble
Nov. 20-Dec. 13}
Alexandra, an independent, elderly woman is in the midst of a face-off. She has barricaded herself inside her Brooklyn brownstone with enough explosives to take out the block, demanding to remain on her own. Her children, however, have another plan. When her estranged son finds his way in, he becomes an unlikely mediator and attempts to save not only his mother's life but also his own. This wickedly funny and achingly poignant play exposes the fragility and ferocity of life.
{BOLD "agua de luna (psalms for the rouge)"
By Caridad Svich
Feb. 26-March 20, 2016}
With support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Matrix Theatre Company has partnered with internationally renowned playwright, Caridad Svich, and commissioned her to create a new, full-length theatre piece inspired by the spirit of southwest Detroit. Svich's work explores themes of biculturalism and construction of identity. This new bilingual play is currently in the development process and will receive its world premiere at Matrix Theatre Company as a part of their 25th Anniversary Season. Sherrine Azab will direct the piece.
{BOLD "Low Hanging Fruit"
bBy Robin Bradford
March 3-20, 2016}
Four homeless women, all U.S. military veterans, struggle to survive on the dangerous streets of Skid Row in Los Angeles. They've banded together in a tent encampment, which provides little safety against the elements, while they deal with issues triggered by their experiences in combat. When one of the women meets a young runaway and invites her back to the camp, turmoil and change ensue. The women's stories, hardships and deferred dreams are painful reminders of the neglect many veterans face upon returning home. This Midwestern premiere of "Low Hanging Fruit" is produced in partnership with the Theatre Company at University of Detroit Mercy and will be performed at the Marlene Boll Theatre inside the Downtown YMCA. Lisa Hodge Kander will serve as director.
