Bringing History to Life
Robert Johnson’s Patience of Nantucket, which premiered to high critical acclaim is Boston, will debut on Nantucket July 5th thru July 15th in Bennett Hall at the First Congregational Church, 62 Centre Street.
Based on true events, Patience of Nantucket is a dramatization of the tragic life of Patience Cooper, and African-American women in 19th century Nantucket, who was wrongfully convicted of the killing of an elderly shopkeeper. During her trial she is railroaded in a racial witch hunt that shakes up the tiny island of Nantucket. Her turmoil is bonded by a secret love affair, and tensions between the Quakers and segregationists on the island. The play revives real characters from the period, including Rev. James Crawford, Pastor of the Pleasant Street Baptist Church that was located in the African Meeting House on Nantucket, now owned by Boston’s Museum of African-American History.
During its highly successful Boston run, where the play was viewed by sold out audiences, the Boston Globe called Patience of Nantucket “Masterful.” The Boston Herald also applauded the play saying, “Johnson’s script makes Patience so real, and though 150 years have passed, he’s worked in striking contemporary political parallels.” Nick Dussault of Boston Metro stated, “Director Akiba Abaka has assembled a stellar cast to breathe life into the tragic tale. Abaka keeps the emotions running high yet, thankfully, the characters never go overboard.”
While serving as the director of the James Bradford Ames Fellowship, a program that supports research and publication of black and Cape Verdean history on Nantucket, Johnson came across the court records of Cooper’s incarceration and trial. An attorney, Johnson was intrigued by the injustice of the trial and sought to bring Patience’s story to light in the form of a play.
Up You Mighty Race Company is honored to present this inspired production which pairs UMass Boston Africana Studies Professor Robert Johnson Jr. with director Akiba Abaka (one of his former students) in an artistic collaboration that bridges the gap between academia and the arts. Via the mediums of movement, theatre, song, and poetry, Up You Mighty Race utilizes the arts as a catalyst for social awareness and change.
Patience of Nantucket is on Nantucket for a limited run: Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 for student/senior; $25 for adults. For tickets, visit www.capetix.com or call 866-811-4111.
