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The Half-God of Rainfall Production Photo

The Half-God of Rainfall

Limited Run: Two Weeks Only
  • Sep 8, 2023 - Sep 24, 2023

  • Loeb Drama Center

  • Run Time: 90 minutes with no intermission

  • Run Time

    90 minutes with no intermission

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A slam dunk! Enthralling. Must be seen to be believed.

METRMag

Delivers an intoxicating marriage of language, movement, and design.

The Boston Globe

Experience a new epic fusing Greek mythology and Yoruba spirituality from award-winning playwright and poet Inua Ellams (Barber Shop Chronicles). When Demi—half Greek god, half Nigerian mortal—takes his first shot on a basketball court, the deities of the land wake up. But as Demi’s skills propel him from his village in South West Nigeria to the NBA playoffs and the London Olympics, Zeus gets jealous of his game. Adventure from half-court to Mount Olympus at The Half-God of Rainfall and see mothers, daughters, and goddesses rise up.

Directed by Taibi Magar (Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992; Macbeth In Stride; We Live in Cairo) with movement direction by Orlando Pabotoy.

This production stages sexual and physical violence and contains haze, fog, flashing lights, and loud sounds. Recommended for ninth grade and up.

By Inua Ellams
Movement Direction by Orlando Pabotoy
Directed by Taibi Magar
A co-production with New York Theatre Workshop

Notable dates

Opening Night: 9/12
ASL Interpreted: 9/20 at 7:30PM & 9/24 at 2PM
Audio Described: 9/21 at 7:30PM & 9/23 at 2PM
Open Captioned: 9/21 at 7:30PM & 9/23 at 2PM

We apologize that we will not be able to provide relaxed services for this production.

Press Coverage

Reviews

Features

A man in a blue basketball jersey and shorts stands center stage in a spotlight, with a few figures in shadow in the background.

The New York Times

Playwrights’ Hoop Dreams Take Flight Off Broadway This Summer

Ellams, a Nigerian poet and playwright, who has played basketball since he was a teenager, said he created the character Demi to “do all the things that I never could” on the court. He mused that basketball has a greater draw to the stage because it is “a far more beautiful sport.”

Read full article

Ellams, a Nigerian poet and playwright, who has played basketball since he was a teenager, said he created the character Demi to “do all the things that I never could” on the court. He mused that basketball has a greater draw to the stage because it is “a far more beautiful sport.”

Read full article

Explore

Essential Question

What stories have we been told and what stories do we continue to tell ourselves today? How are they shaping or harming us as humans?

A.R.T. leads with inquiry and believes in asking questions in a spirit of brave curiosity in a neverending journey of learning and growth. Ahead of each production, the creative team, company, and the Education & Engagement team develop one or more Essential Questions to guide work in the rehearsal room, onstage, and for engaging with audiences.

Credits

Learn about the collaboration of artists who created the show, as well as the staff, supporters, and partners who made it possible.

Read the Program

Creative Team

By

Inua Ellams

Directed by

Taibi Magar

Movement Direction by

Orlando Pabotoy

Scenic Design

Riccardo Hernández

Costume Design

Linda Cho

Lighting Design

Stacey Derosier

Sound Design

Mikaal Sulaiman

Projection Design

Tal Yarden

Orisha Movement Consulting/Choreography

Beatrice Capote

Casting

The Telsey Office / Destiny Lilly, CSA

Intimacy Director

Ann James

Voice & Dialect Director

Dawn-Elin Fraser

Production Stage Manager

Caroline Englander

Cast

Jason Bowen

Sàngó

Jason Bowen

Jason Bowen

Sàngó

Jason Bowen

Kelley Curran

Hera

Kelley Curran

Kelley Curran

Hera

Kelley Curran

Mister Fitzgerald

Demi

Mister Fitzgerald

Mister Fitzgerald

Demi

Mister Fitzgerald

Patrice Johnson Chevannes

Osún

Patrice Johnson Chevannes

Patrice Johnson Chevannes

Osún

Patrice Johnson Chevannes

Russell G. Jones

Elegba

Russell G. Jones

Russell G. Jones

Elegba

Russell G. Jones

Michael Laurence

Zeus

Michael Laurence

Michael Laurence

Zeus

Michael Laurence

Jennifer Mogbock

Modúpé

Jennifer Mogbock

Jennifer Mogbock

Modúpé

Jennifer Mogbock