The performance of the work by Kirsten Childs will be available at www.elonperformingarts.com at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 5.
The Department of Performing Arts will present its performance of “The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin,” a musical by Kirsten Childs, on Friday, March 5, at 5 p.m.
The performance will be streamed at 聽and will be available for one night only. An online program with information about the cast, creative team and production team is available .
“The Bubbly Black Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin” was first presented in New York City by Dixon Place with funds from the Joyce MertzGilmore Foundation. Partially developed during the 1998 National Music Theater Conference at the O鈥橬eill Theater Center. Developed in part at the National Alliance for Musical Theater, Helen Sneed, Executive and Artistic Director, and also at Musical Theater Works. Playwrights Horizons, New York City, in association with Wind Dancer Theatre, produced the World Premiere in 1999鈥2000. The Gold Medal jingle is used with the permission of General Mills, Inc.
THE STORY:聽What鈥檚 a black girl from sunny Southern California to do? White people are blowing up black girls in Birmingham churches. Black people are shouting 鈥淏lack is beautiful鈥 while straightening their hair and coveting light skin. Viveca Stanton鈥檚 answer: Slap on a bubbly smile and be as white as you can be! In a humorous and pointed coming-of-age story spanning the sixties through the nineties, Viveca blithely sails through the confusing worlds of racism, sexism, and Broadway showbiz until she鈥檚 forced to face the devastating effect self-denial has had on her life.
The Elon performance is directed by Julio Agustin Matos Jr., associate professor of performing arts and music theatre director, and choreographed by Keshia Wall, assistant professor of performing arts. Music is directed by Dan Gibson, assistant professor of performing arts, and dramaturgy for the performance is provided by cfrancis blackchild.
The performance contains some adult language and references to racial violence.聽Otherwise, it is suitable for children.