by Eugene O’Neill
directed by Ciarán O’Reilly
starring Obi Abili
March 1 – April 23, 2017
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Eugene O’Neill’s groundbreaking play The Emperor Jones is the story of Brutus Jones, a despot who ascends the throne using lies, intimidation and the politics of fear. Following a prison break in the United States, Jones sets himself up as monarch of a Caribbean island. When the Natives rebel after years of exploitation, Jones’s mesmerizing journey into darkness becomes a terrifying psychological portrayal of power, fear, and madness. With his demons in heavy pursuit, the Emperor is forced to confront not just the mortal sins of his past but also the depravities against his ancestors, — all in search of forgiveness and salvation.
“gorgeous, astonishing… both ferocious and blindsidingly affecting. At its center a performance of such assured intelligence that there’s no possibility of condescension… absolutely flaying. Boundary-pushing in its day, the play still has plenty to say — about tyranny and greed and corruption, sure, but more potently about our culture’s long history of race-based violence and degradation. – New York Times
“an unavoidably important American drama that retains the power to spellbind and unnerve. Obi Abili, in the supremely challenging role of Brutus Jones, rules the show with a ruthless charm and retains a crucial psychological authenticity.” -The New Yorker
“A breathtaking experience for the senses… This timely staging also boasts a roster of fine actors, notably Obi Abili, who plays the Emperor Jones with terrifying fury and heartrending pathos in a nightmarish and hauntingly beautiful production. The racial and political anxieties that The Emperor Jones explores are ripe for renewed discussion in our time.” –TheaterMania
