Wednesday, April 11, 2012

"The Walking Dead" Danai Gurira brings The Convert to Center Theatre Group

What does AMC's hit series "The Walking Dead" have in common with the upcoming Kirk Douglas drama THE CONVERT? Obie Award-winner Danai Gurira. The actress and playwright, whom zombie fans got a brief glimpse of as a hooded mystery in the season finale of "The Walking Dead", is bringing her talents to the stage at the Kirk Douglas Theatre April 17-May 19.


Written by Gurira (In the Continuum and Eclipsed) herself, THE CONVERT centers on white colonialism in Africa. Gurira draws from her own family history for the play, which is set in Zimbabwe, where the playwright spent most of her childhood.

The story is Jekesai's, a teenage girl who turns to Western Culture and Christianity after running away from an arranged marriage. As is often the case when two cultures collide, conflict erupts and difficult, sometimes heartrending decisions must be made. With THE CONVERT, Gurira explores the complexity of human nature and lives transformed by colonialism in the first of what will hopefully be a series of plays from the author about Zimbabwe.

Tickets for THE CONVERT are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling 213-628-2772 or by visiting www.CenterTheatreGroup.org. Mention the code TRADITION to purchase tickets at a discounted price of $20 (reg. $30-$45). This special offer is available for select performances April 17-April 22. The play runs April 17-May 19 at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City.

To learn more about Danai Gurira and THE CONVERT, click here to listen to an interview from NPR. 


Cheers!
-ExperienceLA Staff

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