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.
Ticket Offers
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Standard tickets start at $35, and discounts are available to students and ticket-buyers under the age of 25, Blue Star families, EBT card holders, seniors, Harvard faculty and staff, and others.
Press Coverage
Reviews
Features
![23Basketball-03-bkjp-superJumbo A man in a blue basketball jersey and shorts stands center stage in a spotlight, with a few figures in shadow in the background.](https://american-rep-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/19125412/23Basketball-03-bkjp-superJumbo-16x10.webp)
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
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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.
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 Jason Bowen](https://american-rep-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/16103700/Jason-Bowen-Headshot-credit-Michael-Benabib-400x400.jpg)
Sàngó
Jason Bowen
![Jason Bowen Jason Bowen](https://american-rep-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/16103700/Jason-Bowen-Headshot-credit-Michael-Benabib-150x150.jpg)
Sàngó
Jason Bowen
![Kelley Curran Kelley Curran](https://american-rep-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/16103707/Kelley-Curran-Headshot-by-Andrew-Brucker-400x400.jpg)
Hera
Kelley Curran
![Kelley Curran Kelley Curran](https://american-rep-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/16103707/Kelley-Curran-Headshot-by-Andrew-Brucker-150x150.jpg)
Hera
Kelley Curran
![Mister Fitzgerald Mister Fitzgerald](https://american-rep-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/17103359/Mister-Fitzgerald-Headshot-400x400.jpg)
Demi
Mister Fitzgerald
![Mister Fitzgerald Mister Fitzgerald](https://american-rep-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/17103359/Mister-Fitzgerald-Headshot-150x150.jpg)
Demi
Mister Fitzgerald
![Patrice Johnson Chevannes Patrice Johnson Chevannes](https://american-rep-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/16103718/Patrice-Johnson-Chevannes-Headshot-400x400.jpg)
Osún
Patrice Johnson Chevannes
![Patrice Johnson Chevannes Patrice Johnson Chevannes](https://american-rep-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/16103718/Patrice-Johnson-Chevannes-Headshot-150x150.jpg)
Osún
Patrice Johnson Chevannes
![Russell G. Jones Russell G. Jones](https://american-rep-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/16103721/Russell-G.-Jones-Headshot-400x400.jpg)
Elegba
Russell G. Jones
![Russell G. Jones Russell G. Jones](https://american-rep-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/16103721/Russell-G.-Jones-Headshot-150x150.jpg)
Elegba
Russell G. Jones
![Michael Laurence Michael Laurence](https://american-rep-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/16103711/Michael-Laurence-Headshot-400x400.jpg)
Zeus
Michael Laurence
![Michael Laurence Michael Laurence](https://american-rep-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/16103711/Michael-Laurence-Headshot-150x150.jpg)
Zeus
Michael Laurence
![Jennifer Mogbock Jennifer Mogbock](https://american-rep-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/16103703/Jennifer-Mogbock-Headshot-401x400.jpg)
Modúpé
Jennifer Mogbock
![Jennifer Mogbock Jennifer Mogbock](https://american-rep-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/16103703/Jennifer-Mogbock-Headshot-150x150.jpg)
Modúpé