Four Performances of Two Historic and Unforgettable Men

Idaho Repertory Theatre is excited to bring audiences four performances of an award-winning drama that couldn’t be more pertinent to today’s discussion of race and politics. “The Meeting” by Jeff Stetson, is a fascinating and compelling play depicting an imagined meeting of two of the most important men of modern times: Malcom X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at the Forge Theater, 404 Sweet Ave., Moscow, March 31 through April 2.

Described as “an unforgettable evening of drama” by The New York Post, this production is co-sponsored by the University of Idaho Black/African American Cultural Center, the Africana Studies Program and the Department of History with funding from the IRT Endowment and the College of Letters, Arts & Social Sciences.

Guest Artists Bring Unique Talents

Guest artist and director Baron Kelly, a four-time Fulbright Scholar and Distinguished Professor of Theatre and Drama from University of Wisconsin-Madison, says the hour-long play illustrates how each man was bigger than their symbolic parts. Through radically differing philosophies, both men are revealed and bond over their shared pain.

Martin Luther King, Jr, played by Tyler Madden from North Carolina and Malcom X, played by James Stringer, Jr., from University of Virginia, debate their varying approaches to the same grave social problems, both prepared to die for their beliefs but neither aware of how soon their assassins' bullets would await them. Joining them onstage as Malcom's bodyguard is E.M. Harris from Baltimore, Maryland.

"We are proud to share this play with our community," said Robert Caisley, executive producer of IRT.

"I cannot thank our producing partners enough. To most people, the meeting of these two iconic leaders represents a conflict of personalities, revolutionary ideas, and very different methods. However, this play brilliantly humanizes both men, and offers a far more nuanced view of their differences (and similarities) in ways that are sure to surprise you," he said.

Talk-Back with Cast and Crew After Each Show

There will be a talk-back with the director and cast after each performance.

The Meeting by Jeff Stetson

Directed by Baron Kelly

with Tyler Madden as Martin Luther King, Jr.; James Stringer, Jr., as Malcom X; and E.M. Harris as Rashad

View program

Performance Information
• 7:30 p.m. March 31, April 1
• 2:00 p.m. April 1, 2
• Forge Theater, 404 Sweet Ave., Moscow
• Free for U of I students
• $5 to $25 general admission
• Tickets at www.uitickets.com

A talk back with cast and crew follows each performance.