Can Art ever be free from Politics? Can Politics in America ever be free from Race? And can any of them transcend the powerful, alluring taint of Money? For years the Morris Foundation—the art collection of an eccentric millionaire—has flourished in quiet, suburban obscurity. The renowned collection, which includes works by Cézanne, Renoir, and Matisse, has hung unchanged on the walls for 50 years. But when Morris’ will leaves control to an African-American University, Sterling North, a successful businessman of color, is named the new Executive Director. As he discovers the stored African art treasures of the collection, North demands changes in the exhibits, forcing a clash between social justice and artistic vision.

Adam Zahler helms this elegant, incisive play about the complex boundary of race, art, and politics by Thomas Gibbons, critically-acclaimed playwright of BEE-LUTHER-HATCHEE. Inspired by the events at the Barnes Foundation.

Photo: Clark Jackson and Benjamin Evett. Photo by Craig Bailey/ Perspective Photo