From left: Courtney Marie as Kendra and Khnemu Menu-Ra as Lt. John Stokes in Ghostlight's production of American Son running through Oct. 4 at Friendship Community Place. (Photo by Maria Burnham/For Ghostlight Ensemble)
Ghostlight Ensemble’s production of American Son continues to bring praise from both audience members and reviewers, with Third Coast Review saying the production’s “impact extends far beyond the final moments of the play.”
“The four-member cast brings incredible performances to American Son. (Courtney) Marie is the heart of this play portraying the defiant mother who will fight at all odds to find her son. She and (Shane) Novoa Rhoades are flawless…” — Emily Werner, Third Coast Review
American Son, written by Christopher Demos-Brown, is a fictitious play based on very real events. Over the course of one night, the story follows an estranged couple desperately seeking answers to the whereabouts of their teenage son, who has gone missing after an encounter with the police. As Kendra, a Black mother, and Scott, her white husband, wait for information, their clashing perspectives expose deep-seated issues of race, privilege and systemic bias.
The production is directed by Ebby Offord and stars Ensemble Member Courtney Marie as Kendra and Ensemble Member Khnemu Menu-Ra as Lt. Stokes with Shane Novoa Rhoades as Scott and Derek Preston Ray as Officer Paul Larkin.
The final four performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 1; Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3 and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 5 at Friendship Community Place (5150 N Northwest Highway, Chicago, IL 60630).
Tickets are pay-what-you-will and are available now.
