'Learning Curve' at Theatre Row's Beckett Theatre

Thu 27 Jan 2005 'Learning Curve' at Theatre Row's Beckett Theatre The World Premiere of Learning Curve, by Rogelio Martinez and directed by Michael Sexton, plays at Theatre Row's Beckett Theatre for a limited engagement from the 10 Feb - 27 Feb 2005. Set amidst the true events of the armed takeover of a building by African American students at a leading northeastern University in 1968, Learning Curve chronicles the complex relationships that are forged between students at an Ivy League university, and the heavy responsibilities placed on them to effect change. Learning Curve focuses on David, a young African American in his turbulent first year in college falling in love with a white student who is also the daughter of an important professor. When his girlfriend takes some controversial photos of him and exhibits them anonymously, he becomes the target of his fellow African Americans who berate him for letting a white woman tell his "story". It is difficult for him not to get caught up in the maelstrom as the play rushes towards its climactic conclusion. "This play asks a lot of questions, primarily who has a right to tell another's story," says playwright Rogelio Martinez. "Can the white female student effectively convey an African American's story? Can I as a Hispanic write a play about the black experience? Can the older David look back and even tell his own tale?" Learning Curve is produced by Betty Ann Besch Solinger. Rogelio Martinez is a Cuban born playwright whose credits include 'Arrivals and Departures', 'Where Are You?', 'I Regret She's Made of Sugar' amongst others. Director Michael Sexton has directed 'Stealing Sweets and Punching People', 'Jimmy Carter Was A Democrat', 'Trudy Blue' by Marsha Norman, and 'A Place at the Table', 'Finally Flannery', 'Aunt Pieces' (Cherry Lane) and 'Big Night at the Public', et al. The rest of the artistic team includes: Narelle Sissons (scenic design), Suttirat Anne Larlarb (costume design), Justin Townsend (lighting design). Shane Rettig (Sound design) The play stars Chadwick Boseman, Mike Hodge, Graeme Malcolm, John McAdams, Natalia Payne, Demond Robertson and Daniel Talbott.