Eric Conway: Theatre Morgan's 'The Nacirema Society Requests the Honor of Your Presence at the Celebration of Their First One-Hundred Years'

The Nacirema Society Requests the Honor of Your Presence at the Celebration of Their First One-Hundred Years

 Theatre Morgan

Eric Conway, D.M.A.:

Hello everyone,

This evening I attended the opening night of Theatre Morgan's The Nacirema Society Requests the Honor of Your Presence at the Celebration of Their First One-Hundred Years written by Pearl Cleage.

Over the years as chair I have attended almost every Theatre Morgan production.  This had to be one of the most enjoyable plays that I have seen here at Morgan.  It is a romantic comedy set in the deep south - Montgomery, Alabama.  The play is about high-society in the South.  The main characters are doctors, lawyers, college-educated, successful and proud of it.  So often we see our main characters not always portrayed in such the positive light.  The main event of the story is a centennial celebration cotillion of a high-society group called the Nacirema Society (Nacirema is American spelled backwards FYI).  Embedded in this celebration is a love story whose families prefer, like in so many cultures, to determine who their children should marry.  In the end, the main characters marry who they truly love.  Like a good soap-opera, there is much scandal, extortion, and sarcasm to make for a entertaining story. 

The cast made up of entirely of all women save one male, was fantastic.  The story was easy to follow and well-articulated.  I encourage you to come out and enjoy this taste of Southern society on stage at the Turpin-Lamb Theatre at the Murphy Fine Arts Center.  

New faculty hire, Phillip Royston Burgess directed this piece, allowing all actors to own each character.  The set was appropriate for mid-sixties South.  The maid at the household, in many ways stole the show with her attention to the comings and goings of their guests!  Take my word for it, you will enjoy this production if you come.  I have attached photos of the production and a flyer with all the times of the event if you are interested in attending. 

Again, another great Theatre Morgan production!

Eric