Lincoln Center Theater Stages Kani's Truth in Newhouse, Nov. 15

By Robert Simonson
November 15, 2003

Lincoln Center Theater, which regularly books productions of English plays, will begin its 2003-04 season at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater with Nothing But the Truth, a South African drama by playwright and actor John Kani. Opening night is Dec. 7. Previews begin Nov. 15.

Truth takes place in post-apartheid South Africa and does not concern the conflicts between whites and blacks, but the rift between blacks who stayed in South Africa to fight apartheid, and those who left only to return when the hated regime folded. Kani will star with Emeralda Bihl and Warona Seane. Janice Honeyman directs.

Kani's work has played New York before. He and actor Winston Ntshona won a Tony Award in 1975 for Sizwe Banzi Is Dead and The Island. The two plays were presented in repertory at the Edison Theatre for a total of 52 performances. The production of The Island was revived April 1-13, 2003, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, where it again earned high praise.

Truth originated at the Market Theater in Johannesburg.

Tickets are $60 at the Lincoln Center Theater box office (150 West 65 Street) or by calling Tele-Charge at (212) 239-6200.