“Gangsters” – A Story of Racial Repression and Rebellion

7:00 pm, Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, Backdoor, Aztec Center

Written by Maishe Maponya

Featuring: Monique Gaffney, Mark Christopher Lawrence, and Joe Powers

“Gangsters” is set in late 1970s South Africa during the tumultuous times of racial suppression and rebellion. San Diego Black Ensemble’s Rhys Green directs this bold, in your face fight for the freedom to speak and change the unfair conditions of a society.

In the story, a poet is harassed by authorities for writing inflammatory verse and for reading it in public. In quick succession, she is interrogated, subjected to a banning order and killed in prison.

“Gangsters” is a gut wrenching exposé of authority gone wrong and personal freedoms abused. This story could be placed in any society in any country and anytime; even NOW! From the torture of Guantanamo Bay to the genocides of Darfur.

“Gangsters” is a powerful indictment of “man’s inhumanity to man” that must be seen, must be talked about; join us in this look at the reflection of our time by three of San Diego’s finest actor and theatrical collaborators. A story for all times and for all people.

This performance is free for all SDSU students, faculty and staff.