From Chicago Sun-Times · · 1m 40s
Detroit '67: Sibling Rivalry Amid Civil Unrest
Detroit siblings clash over inheritance and racial tensions in 1967 play.
In brief
Detroit siblings clash over inheritance and racial tensions in 1967 play. Detroit '67' explores sibling conflict and civil unrest through a family drama set in 1967 Detroit. Originally reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
Detroit '67' Review
Chicago Sun-Times reviews Dominique Morisseau's play 'Detroit 67' at eta Creative Arts Foundation.
“The questions that emerge here go much deeper than siblings having a difference of opinion”
Sibling Conflict
Chelle and Lank, Detroit siblings, clash over inheritance and future plans after parents' death.
“Lank wants to see Black people have a real stake in Detroit, while Chelle believes the inheritance and home their parents left behind is itself a legacy”
1967 Setting
Play unfolds in Detroit's summer of 1967 amid racial segregation and police tensions.
“It takes place in the sweltering summer of 1967, when the city was deeply strained by racial segregation, housing discrimination and hostile police practices”
Inheritance Plan
Lank plans to buy a bar using inheritance money while Chelle prefers keeping it as a rainy day fund.
“Lank insists they need more. His best friend Sly has a tip on a bar for sale and encourages Lank to use the inheritance money to buy the business and go legit with the parties”
Racial Tensions
White woman Caroline, a victim of police domestic violence, arrives at the basement during riots.
“The white woman, Caroline (Emma Jean Eastlund), is on the run from the police. Her bruises, we learn, are the result of domestic violence from a cop she was dating”
Siblings' Divergence
Chelle resists change while Lank pursues entrepreneurship as a path to Black empowerment.
“Lank is a dreamer and wants to see Black people have a real stake in Detroit, and views entrepreneurship as essential to that vision”
Riot Escalation
Riots erupt as Lank's bar faces destruction amid racial tensions.
“The bar Lank and Sly just bought is now at risk of being burned down”
Character Transformation
Chelle sheds old self to embrace new dreams and freedom through music.
“She sheds her old record player, along with her old self, and in the final scene, pops The Four Tops into the 8-track player and dances freely”
Theater Details
Play runs through Nov. 1 at eta Creative Arts Foundation with 2-hour 30-minute runtime.
“When : Through Nov. 1 Where : eta Creative Arts Foundation, 7558 S. South Chicago Ave. Tickets : $25-$40 Info : pulsetheatrechicago.org Run time: 2 hours, 30 minutes”
Mental Health Focus
eta Creative Arts Foundation partners with Pulse Theatre Company to address mental health in Black homes.
“This production is the first of a new partnership that has landed Pulse Theatre Company as the first company in residence at eta, which was founded on the South Side in 1969. It launches a season that artistic director Aaron Reese Boseman says focuses on mental health in Black homes”
Musical Themes
Motown soundtrack reflects themes of change and resistance in the play.
“The music also helps manifest the themes of the production. In the opening scene, Chelle's record player fails. Even with her record player broken, Chelle is not sold on the 8-track, insisting that hearing the scratch of a needle is an imperfection that enhances the experience of listening to music”
Playwright Background
Dominique Morisseau, Detroit native, previously won Tony for 'Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations'.
“The song works on two levels: It inspired Morisseau’s Tony-nominated jukebox musical, 'Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations,' which propelled the Detroit native into national recognition as a playwright”
Character Dynamics
Chelle spurns Sly's romantic advances and refuses to use Lank's 8-track player.
“Danyél is on an emotional roller coaster in this role and is a force in opposing Lank to follow his dreams, spurning Sly’s advances of love and even refuses to use the 8-track player Lank enthusiastically brings to the basement”
Riot Resolution
Chelle embraces change and new freedoms after family crisis.
“With riots outside and an unexpected visitor inside, Chelle is forced to come to grips with a changing world. The second act is filled with smoke, sirens and unrest, but through it all Chelle learns to dream, to love and to let go”
The big picture
Detroit '67' explores sibling conflict and civil unrest through a family drama set in 1967 Detroit.
