“Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Write to the New First Lady” (SUNY Press, 2009) the award winning volume of 100 letters to Michelle Obama written shortly after the 2008 election of President Barack Obama has been adapted as a dramatic production. Drs. Barbara Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram, co-authors and editors of the book, have been working with Dr. Robert Knopf, chair of UB’s Drama Department on this dramatization. The outcome of this collaboration is Dr. Knopf’s adaptation, a one hour play that features three readers.
Dr. Knopf describes “GO, TELL MICHELLE: the Play” as more than a dramatic reading: “It is a montage of lost voices, personal stories, and heartfelt emotions unleashed by the tide of history that has swept the nation.” The play will debut on January 19th at UB’s Allen Hall on the South Campus on the eve of the first anniversary of President Obama’s historic inauguration.
Under Dr. Knopf’s direction, storyteller Karima Amin, Brooks-Bertram and Seals Nevergold will give voice to the stories and poems in this dramatic adaptation. The play will debut on January 19th at UB’s Allen Hall on the South Campus. Performance time is 7:00pm and the production is free and open to the public. Jericka Duncan, reporter from WIVB-TV will act as Emcee.
A second performance will take place at the Frank E. Merriweather Jr. Library on January 20th. As with Tuesday’s program, this performance will be free and open to the public. The Uncrowned Queens Institute and the University at Buffalo’s Department of Theatre and Dance are co-sponsors of this production. The Buffalo Teacher’s Federation is also a key sponsor.
In December 2009, “Go, Tell Michelle” was named by book and movie critic Kam Williams as one of the 10 Best Black Books of 2009.
The program is free and open to the public. Information can be obtained by calling (716) 829-6047.
