Producing Partnerships
Launched in 2003, Producing Partnerships advance the work of PF alumni from development to full production through partnerships with Bay Area new play producers.
Current Projects
Marcus Gardley's …and Jesus Moonwalks the Mississippi
This first production of Marcus Gardley's breathtaking new play, …and Jesus Moonwalks the Mississippi is a co-production between Playwrights Foundation and The Cutting Ball Theater. It runs March 12 to April 11 in San Francisco.
Full details and tickets can be found at www.cuttingball.com or by calling 800-838-3006.
About the Play
Set on the banks of the Mississippi during the Civil War, …and Jesus Moonwalks the Mississippi is a poetic journey of forgiveness and redemption. Inspired by the myth of Demeter and Persephone, this deeply personal play combines traditional storytelling, gospel music, and a wicked sense of humor to create a rich, imaginative world that allows trees to preach, rivers to waltz and Jesus to moonwalk.
We've spent five years working with Marcus on developing the play and our passionate dedication to advancing this play to the stage is reaping rewards—for Mr. Gardley and for audiences.
"When you go to see [the play]—which you should—it feels like what you're witnessing is not just a fascinating new play, but an important one …Suffused with metaphor and mixed mythology, it's more challenging than your average new play, and it's a challenge that's richly rewarded in the Cutting Ball Theater and Playwrights Foundation co-production…" |
-Sam Hurwitt |
"It's the story that compels, but it's Gardley's writing that fascinates. Powerful, mesmerizing and complete with bolts of humor and tragedy, …and Jesus Moonwalks the Mississippi is an intimate epic that pulses with power and beauty." |
-Chad Jones |
"In this inspired poetical-historical counter-narrative …Greek mythology, African American folklore, personal family history, and Christian theology are all drawn irresistibly along in a great sweep of wild and incisive humor, passion, pathos and rousing gospel music as buoyant and wide as the Mississippi… a work both magnificently simple and eloquently evocative." |
-Robert Avila |
