Created, Written & Performed by Keith A. Wallace
Directed & Co-created by Deborah Stein
Step onto the basketball court with this one-man show praised by The New York Times as “high-impact … a sharp reminder of the persuasive powers of live theater.” The Bitter Game comes to OBERON following its much-talked-about run at the Under the Radar Festival.
With its five acts structured as the four quarters and overtime of a basketball game, The Bitter Game explores the experience of being Black in America through the relationship between a young man and his mother. Based on the playwright-actor Keith A. Wallace’s youth in Philadelphia, this multi-character performance tackles issues ranging from police violence, to coping with trauma, to the value of Black lives.
Need to know
After a limited engagement at OBERON, The Bitter Game will tour to a series of venues around greater Boston. Due to the expected stormy weather, our tour locations of The Bitter Game have moved inside. The performance on Wednesday, September 20 at 7PM at the Mattapan Teen Center will now take place in the Foundation Room at the center. The performance on Thursday, September 21 at 7PM (formerly 6PM) at the Harambee Basketball court at BCYF Perkins has been moved to the school auditorium.
• 9/20 at 7PM
MATTAPAN TEEN CENTER
• 9/21 at 7PM
HARAMBEE BASKETBALL COURT AT BCYF PERKINS
Read more
Inspired by the show to learn more about, or get involved in addressing the issues raised by the play? Visit (and contribute to) this guide to local resources and organizations.
Read more about the production:
Read more about The Bitter Game and other upcoming productions in the A.R.T. Guide.
Notable dates
After a limited engagement at OBERON, The Bitter Game will tour to a series of venues around greater Boston. Due to the expected stormy weather, our tour locations of The Bitter Game have moved inside. The performance on Wednesday, September 20 at 7PM at the Mattapan Teen Center will now take place in the Foundation Room at the center. The performance on Thursday, September 21 at 7PM (formerly 6PM) at the Harambee Basketball court at BCYF Perkins has been moved to the school auditorium.
• 9/20 at 7PM
MATTAPAN TEEN CENTER
• 9/21 at 7PM
HARAMBEE BASKETBALL COURT AT BCYF PERKINS
Discussions
ACT II
Moderated Act II conversations will follow performances on:
- Sep. 14 (7:30PM, OBERON, Moderated by Liz O’Connor, featuring Josh Dohan, Mo Barbosa, and Sergeant Thomas Brooks, Boston Police Department)
- Sep. 16 (4PM, OBERON, Moderated by Professor Timothy Patrick McCarthy)
- Sep. 20 (7PM, Mattapan Teen Center, Moderated by Bethany Allen, featuring Ron Carroll)
- Sep. 21 (6PM, DCYF Perkins Community Center, Moderated by Bethany Allen, featuring James Hills and Matt Parker)
