For Immediate Release
March 27, 2006
Contact Julie McGarvie, Director of Marketing
651-290-8686 x250

OBIE AWARD-WINNING PLAY
Zooman and the Sign
Immediate, Tragic, Inspirational

March 27, 2006; St. Paul, MN: Penumbra Theatre Company, the nation's preeminent African American theatre, proudly announces the opening of Zooman and the Sign, written by Charles Fuller, and directed by Lou Bellamy on April 14, 2006. Amidst the daily news stories of neighborhood violence and gang related deaths, the staging of this drama burns with topical urgency. Zooman and the Sign tells the story of a tragic death of an innocent child transforming a neighborhood. The story centers on the Tate family's struggle to find the killer of their little girl, shot by a wayward bullet from the gun of a gang leader. What used to be a compassionate black community has been rendered powerless by recurring gang violence and police apathy. Rueben Tate's pleas to his neighbors to come forward with information about the killer of his child are met with icy refusals and simple indifference. Racked with a sense of helplessness, he posts a plea for humanity that rouses an emotionally ravaged neighborhood to its feet.

Director Lou Bellamy says, "Our communities have always been challenged by external threats, but over the past several years they have been put under siege from within. Often we dehumanize the threat so that our reactions, our anger, fear, or apathy, seem justified. This play forces us to consider how overwhelming the problem can be, but remains unrelenting in its demand for the recognition of humanity on both sides." This is the second staging of Zooman and the Sign at Penumbra, the first being part of the 1982-83 season. That earlier staging electrified audiences, many of whom were frustrated with the apathy of police and leadership forces as the conditions within our local communities depressed into something unrecognizable, terrifying and very sad. Unfortunately, the issues of neighborhood and gang violence have continued to plague the safety and well being within the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota. Bellamy says, "It is becoming increasingly more common that our youth are acting out with extreme violence while we seem struck dumb by the death of an innocent like 11-year-old Tyesha Edwards, like Michael Zebuhr or astonished by tragedies such as Columbine or Red Lake." Once again, Penumbra is compelled to bring this drama back to the stage to confront issues of racism and poverty, encourage dialogue, and inspire social change.

To facilitate dialogue and close the distance between the audience, artists, and issues presented in the play as well as provide a safe place to express oneself, Penumbra will offer seven Talk Backs, on the evenings of April 12, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, and 27. Participating panelists include Al McFarlane, publisher of Insight News; John Harrington, Saint Paul Chief of Police; Spike Moss, civil rights activist; Tyrone Terrill, Saint Paul Director of the Human Rights; and Ava Brown, victim of gang violence. Please note that the panelists vary for each Talk Back so check the Penumbra website for details.