The Niceties by Eleanor Burgess
February 19 – March 7, 2020
Directed by Scott Palmer
Scenic Design by Joseph Lavigne

The Family That We Choose

When an ambitious young black student meets with her esteemed white professor to go over a paper the student is writing about the American Revolution, sparks fly as the two women engage in a discussion about who gets to tell the real story of America. Both women are brilliant, both are passionate, and they both believe they are 100% right. It doesn’t take long for a conversation about grammar and punctuation moves into dangerous territory neither of them are prepared for; the implications are profound and cannot be undone. Can these two women, who have so much in common, find a way forward in a world that wants to ensure they never come to agreement?

“A barnburner of a play; one of the best plays I’ve seen about who gets to tell the story of America, and how…” – The Washington Post

“A bristling, provocative debate play about race and privilege in the United States, and it begs to be argued with…” The New York Times

“The Niceties crackles and sparks with friction. Burgess' characters are drawn with precision and her dialogue is expertly crafted to keep both the tension and the attention high…” New York Theatre Guide