- THE MAN WHO KILLED GOD - By K. Lorrel Manning
THEATRE
K. LORREL MANNING
The University of Georgia Black Theatrical Ensemble has ended its usual theatre season with the world premiere of a most unusual drama, "The Man Who Killed God," an original script by K. Lorrel Manning.
Directed by D. Vez, "The Man Who Killed God" takes a look at the black family and how society's ills threaten its survival.
"It's about the destructive forces, internal and external, that can impose themselves on the black family, causing division and conquering the human spirit," Vez said.
The central characters in the story are two ministers, one black, one white.
"Rev. Bobby Franklin is someone who maintains his traditional African American Values," Vez said. "He sticks to his Southern roots... makes an emphasis on the family and black community control."
"The opposing force is the Rev. Wade, a white minister who comes in with new-age ideas of how to fit into a changing society. But underneath his good (intentions), are the stems of society's corruption functioning on many levels. It keeps you wondering who this guy really is."
The world premiere of the play and its message, which playwright K. Lorrel Manning says is the destruction of the soul of the black community, is very timely, opening exactly two weeks after a jury in Simi Valley, Calif., acquitted four white police officers on brutality charges in the beating of black motorist Rodney King. The cast includes Richard Muscadin, Robert Felt, Eric Wise, Christopher Green, Stephanie Shapiro, Kathrin Barfield, Derrick Barrettn and Daphne Gaines.
ACTOR / HOST
CHRISTOPHER GREEN
