Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992

Credits

Written by : Anna Deavere Smith

Directed by : Steve H. Broadnax III

February 3 - February 14, 2021

"'Twilight' by Syracuse Stage an intimate experience worthy of a front-row seat." - Syracuse.com

"...mesmerizing ... without a doubt a must-see virtual production showcasing incredible talent along with a powerful, relevant, and thought-provoking documentary theatrical production." - Broadway World

"McClain, who performs on a single, green screen covered set, manages to give life to each new person with an impressive clarity ... Director Broadnax smartly leans into the intimacy this medium allows for..." - The Stand

Description

On March 3, 1991, a 26-year-old Black man named Rodney King was brutally beaten by officers of the Los Angeles police department. The incident was caught on tape, the first of long line of disturbingly similar videos to go viral. The four officers involved were charged with assault and excessive use of force. A year later they were acquitted by a mostly white jury in the nearby suburb of Simi Valley where the trial had been moved. News of the acquittal set off five days of unrest in South Central Los Angeles, which left 50 dead, 2000 injured, 9,500 arrested, and $1 billion in property damages. Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 is Anna Deavere Smith’s artistic response to these traumatic events. Using more than 350 interviews, Smith creates a mosaic of four dozen characters to ruthlessly probe issues of race and class that set Los Angeles ablaze. First performed in 1994, Twilight remains a stunning, insightful, and relevant work of documentary theatre.

Please Note: This production contains images of violence and adult language that may not be suitable for all audiences.

Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 was first created and performed by its author, Anna Deavere Smith, a woman of color, who played 37 characters, real-life persons of different gender identities and different racial, ethnic, and social-economic backgrounds and experiences. Because we believe that much of the play’s theatrical power and humane truth-telling comes from one voice inhabiting the voices of many, our production, like the original, presents a single actor, Patrese D. McClain, a Black woman, inhabiting all the roles. Our aim in creating this timely and resonant documentary theatre piece is to honor Smith’s original intention and to portray its diverse chorus of persons with respect.

Show Run Time: Part 1 approximately 1:30; Part 2 approximately 1:30.
We have extended the streaming viewing window from 48 hours to 72 hours to allow for greater flexibility in viewing Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992.

STREAMING INFORMATION

Once you complete your purchase, you will receive an email from boxoffice@syracusestage.org with a CLICKABLE BLUE BAR, this is the link to view the production. Once you click the blue bar, you will have 72 hours to watch the video. You can fast forward, rewind, and watch as many times as you would like in this 72 hour period.

FAQ: Virtual Streaming On Demand

READ THE PROGRAM HERE

SPECIAL EVENTS

PROLOGUE
AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 5 - 14

A recorded virtual pre-show discussion with “Twilight” director Steve H. Broadnax III and actor Patrese McClain about the making of the production.

SYRACUSE STORIES: How Do We Heal?
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 6:30 – 8:30 PM

Watch a recording of a live virtual discussion with InterFaith works of Central New York followed by a Q&A with Twilight director Steve H. Broadnax III and actor Patrese D. McClain about the events in the production and how those relate to 2021.

WEDNESDAY @ 1
AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 10 – 14

Enjoy a conversation on the relevance of Twilight with director Steve H. Broadnax III, hosted by Associate Artistic Director Kyle Bass.

SYRACUSE STORIES: Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992, Re-building and Healing
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 6:30 - 7:30 PM

Meet panelists the Right Rev. Dr. DeDe Duncan-Probe, Diocesan Bishop at the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York, as she shares her experiences as a community organizer in Los Angeles during the trial of the police officers accused of beating Rodney King and subsequent civil unrest, and Jimmy Oliver, the new Community Engagement Director for the Syracuse Police Department. The discussion will focus on Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992, the impact of living through that experience, and current relationships with our local police. This free discussion will take place on Zoom. Pre-registration is required.