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“Blackbird” by David Harrower at Riverside Theatre

Crumpled, greasy pieces of paper and plastic littered the Riverside Theatre stage during a special preview last Thursday, April 4, at 7:30 PM. A table holding salt and pepper shakers stood beside an overturned chair while a piano version of the Beatles’ “Blackbird” played throughout the theatre. Riverside’s most recent production, Blackbird, opened on Friday, April 5 and runs through Sunday, April 21. Scottish playwright David Harrower’s show won an Olivier Award, the British equivalent of a Tony Award, in 2007.  Blackbird concerns Una, a twelve-year-old girl, who had a relationship with Ray, a forty-year-old man. Fifteen years have passed … Continued

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The Englert Theatre was packed last Monday night, February 25 at 7 PM. The crowd, filled with students and Iowa City citizens, was there to see one incredible woman: Ayana Mathis. Mathis, a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, came back to Iowa City to read from her debut novel, The Twelve Tribes of Hattie. The novel’s recent acclaim is partially due to its acceptance in to Oprah’s book club. Following a wild applause, Ayana Mathis took the stage and read a short poem by Gwendolyn Brooks entitled “Kitchenette Building.” She then commented on the poem, noting that it questions whether … Continued

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