McCarter Debuts "The Convert" This Month

Rehearsals are underway for the world premiere of award-winning Zimbabwe-American actor and playwright Danai Gurira’s The Convert at McCarter's Berlind Theatre Jan. 13 through Feb. 12. 

Set in 1895 in the region that would become Zimbabwe, The Convert tells the story of a girl forced to choose between her family’s traditions and the Christian faith and western values she has embraced. Born in the U.S. and raised in Zimbabwe, Gurira's perspective and distinctive voice have created a play filled with humor and compassion.

“The Convert is part one of my cycle on Zimbabwe and Zimbabwean identity," Gurira said. "In the play I go back to the inciting incident: when Zimbabwe became a colony and the first uprising against the colonial structure occurred."

The concepts of ownership and cultural identity, right and wrong and moral ideals, and of course questions of  faith and Christian identity -- all these things still flood who we are today. The Convert was really exploring all of that in myself...I felt the need to explore my own Zimbabwean identity and the country as a whole the only way I know how, which is through dramatic writing.”

The cast features Pascale Armand, Cheryl Lynn Bruce, Zainab Jah, Kevin Mambo, LeRoy McClain, Warner Joseph Miller and Harold Surratt.

“Danai’s voice is unique among American playwrights due to the experience she brings as an individual who has spent much of her childhood in Zimbabwe,” said Emily Mann, the play's director and artistic director at McCarter. “Her dual perspectives allow her to integrate an important part of Africa’s history into American culture in a way that is both extraordinarily accessible to us and completely authentic. I firmly believe that this play will become part of the new American repertoire.”

Gurira, a Hodder Fellow at Princeton University, was named recipient of the 2011 Barrie and Bernice Stavis Playwriting Award by The National Theatre Conference for The Convert.  The play is the recipient of the Edgerton Foundation New American Plays award.

Tickets begin at $20, and can be purchased online at www.mccarter.org, by phone at (609) 258-2787 or in person at 91 University Place.

Performances are Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30pm; Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. with additional 7:30 performances on Sunday, Jan. 29 and Sunday, Feb. 5. 

Unsold tickets are available for half-price on the day of selected performances. A Pay-What-You-Can performance will be on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7:30pm. Tickets are subject to availability and must be purchased at the McCarter box office or at the door an hour prior to curtain.