Victorian Players Theater Black History Month one-acts

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

For Black History Month, the Victorian Players Theater will present an evening of two one-act plays by Carolyn Gage: “Harriet Tubman Visits a Therapist” and “Mason Dixon.”

Performances will at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and also Feb. 10 and 11; and 2 p.m. Sunday and Feb. 12. The theater is at 702 Mahoning Ave.

Lundeana M. Thomas, a former East High School teacher, is directing the plays. Thomas will also portray Mary Bowser in “Mason-Dixon.” Thomas is a retired professor and director of the African-American theater program at the University of Louisville.

“Harriet Tubman Visits a Therapist” is a dream-like satire in which Tubman (played by Aujenay Cianciolla) is taken to task by a highly academic psychoanalyst (Monica Beasley-Martin) for her heroic behavior. This confrontation between two women sharing the same oppression illuminates the direct conflict between their radically different definitions of survival.

Based on a true story, “Mason-Dixon” presents Elizabeth Van Lew (Geri DeWitt) and Mary Bowser (Thomas), exploring the relationship between two Union spies — one black and a former slave, the other white and her former owner — who meet again after 30 years. Gage’s powerful piece displays complex and painful subtleties of racism.

Tickets are $13 ($10 for children and seniors). Call 330-746-5455 for reservations. Group rates are available.