Detroit '67, About Motor City Riots, Opens at the Public Theater March 12

By Adam Hetrick
12 Mar 2013

Michelle Wilson and Brandon J. Dirden
Michelle Wilson and Brandon J. Dirden
Photo by Joan Marcus

Dominique Morisseau's Detroit '67, a new drama set against the riots that ravaged the Motor City, featuring de'Adre Aziza and Brandon Dirden, officially opens March 12 after previews that began Feb. 26 as part of The Public Theater's Public Lab series. 

Detroit '67, which was developed through the Public's Emerging Writers Group, is directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah. A co-production with the Classical Theatre of Harlem and the National Black Theatre, Detroit '67 will play the Public through March 17, prior to transferring to the CTH March 23-April 14.

Aziza (Women on the Verge, Passing Strange) and Dirden (The Piano Lesson) are joined by Francois Battiste, Samantha Soule and Michelle Wilson.

Here's how it's billed: "It's 1967 in Detroit and Motown music gets the party started. Chelle and her brother Lank transform their basement into an after-hours joint to make ends meet. But when a mysterious woman winds her way into their lives, the siblings clash over much more than family business. As their pent-up feelings erupt, so does their city, and the flames of the '67 Detroit riots engulf them all."

Detroit '67 has scenic design by Neil Patel, costume design by Emilio Esosa, lighting design by Colin Young and sound design by Shane Rettig.

All Public Lab tickets are $15. For tickets phone (212) 967-7555, or visit PublicTheater. The Public Theater is located at 425 Lafayette Street in Manhattan.