The third production of the 2019-2020 season at The Stagecrafters, celebrated author Bruce Graham’s latest play, White Guy on the Bus, opens on Friday, February 7, 2020. The action of this play unfolds in contemporary Philadelphia, as we see Shatique and Ray, two strangers regularly riding a bus together, strike up an unlikely friendship. She is a young, struggling African-American single mother, he a white, married, middle-aged wealthy financier. As their story progresses, an electrifying disclosure foreshadows dire consequences, and the horrific life-changing decisions that the two make come into focus before our eyes. The play, as it weaves a twisted web of moral ambiguity, becomes an out-and-out thriller, as well as a deeply perceptive commentary on racial and class inequality in America! Critical commentary has run the gamut of acclaim: “… [this play] … concerns race, but so much more … a powerful story about characters struggling with titanic decisions …” [Broad Street Review.com]; “… a no-holds-barred exposition of race and privilege in 21st century America.” [WHYY Newsworks]; “… a play with guts. … This one goes for the jugular.” [Chicago Tribune].
Bruce Graham (b. 1956), Philadelphia native, began his career as a playwright with Burkie, in 1984, at the Philadelphia Festival Theatre for New Plays (PFT). He has authored over a dozen full-length plays, performed throughout the country (among others, Moon Over the Brewery, Belmont Avenue Social Club, Minor Demons, Coyote on a Fence, According to Goldberg, Something Intangible, and Rizzo). The Stagecrafters has produced a number of his plays, most recently Any Given Monday in 2017. Graham has also returned to the stage, appearing in Lost in Yonkers, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, and Any Given Monday, among others.
White Guy on the Bus was first produced by Delaware Theatre Company in 2016, then transferred to 59E59 Theaters in Manhattan (NYC) in 2017 for a continuing run Off-Broadway. More recently, it has also seen production at a number of regional theaters.
Production performance dates are February 7 thru February 23: Thurs, Fri, Sat @ 8 pm, Sun @ 2 pm. Tickets are available at $21.00 Online (no service charge), $25.00 At-door. (Thu. eve performances 2-for-$32 Online, 2-for-$35 At-door). Students with valid ID $15.00, Seniors $22 (At-door, any performance), Industry $15 (Fridays only). Groups of 15 or more are offered a reduced rate of $15.00 a ticket, paid in advance. The box office opens 45 minutes before each performance. For information call 215-247-8881; for reservations-direct call 215-247-9913. The theater is located in the heart of Chestnut Hill at 8130 Germantown Ave. Visit website for details: www.thestagecrafters.org.
Special NOTE: A “Meet the Cast and Director” Q & A session will be held following the performance on Friday, Feb. 14. All attendees at that performance are welcome to stay and join in the discussion. Bruce Graham, the author, is expected to be in attendance.
Theater/Organization: The Stagecrafters
Theater Address: 8130 Germantown AvenueChestnut Hill Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19118 (Map It)
Theater Phone: (215) 247-8881
