Oakland's new show is dark, thought-provoking
YOUNGSTOWN - The Oakland Center for the Arts, 220 W. Boardman St., has made a name on controversial shows and the latest production is no exception.
"Back of the Throat" opens Friday, June 11 and runs for two weekends.
Cheney Morgan, left, and Anthony Genovese read a cutting from "Back of the Throat" at the Lemon Grove Monday evening. Director Nathan Beagle sits in the front row.
The play runs about an hour and a half with no intermission. At topic is an Arab Muslim under investigation for his role in an act of terrorism.
With "Back of the Throat," Youngstown State University senior Nathan Beagle makes his directorial debut.
Beagle says the main theme of "Throat" is the topic of what it's like to be an immigrant in the United States. "Throat" was written in 2006 by Yussef El Guindi and is set in modern day New York.
The central character, Khaled, is played by Anthony Genovese. Khaled maintains his innocence as characters invade his life with accusations.
In a post-rehearsal discussion at The Lemon Grove Café, Genovese described the role as challenging.
"I try to portray these people - not just characters - with sincerity, and not just sincerity, but sincerity and truthfulness."
The cast of "Throat" also includes Joey Pascarella, Sheridan Sullivan, Cheney Morgan and Courtney Nicole Auman.
The show is set up as basically one scene, interspersed with smaller vignettes. The unrelenting drama is at times tough to watch and raises questions about perception, and more specifically, racial profiling.
There will be performances of "Back of the Throat" on June 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. and June 13 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $15, $12 for seniors and $10 for students with ID. According to the press release, tickets for the June 13 performance will be $10.
The release says the June 17 performance will be a “pay what you can” performance where patrons are encouraged to pay whatever price they can afford. For reservations, call (330) 746-0404.
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