2017: WALLS

Written by Michael Gene Sullivan
Music by Michael Bello
Lyrics by Piero Amadeo Infante
Directed by Edris Cooper-Anifowoshe with Rotimi Agbabiaka assistant directing

WALLS features Mime Troupe Collective Members Rotimi Agbabiaka, Velina Brown (first half), Lizzie Calogero, Marilet Martinez and Lauren Spencer (second half)

And band members Patrick Byers, Andrew Niven and Daniel Savio


View original playbill

View the full company's bios

View show photos

View press photos

Writings on the Wall

View YouTube Trailer

Song Clip: On My Watch 2:22       
    Velina Brown
 Song Clip: Land of Milk and Honey 1:55
    Rotimi Agbabiaka


Learn more about the subject matter for this year's show!
Poster
Poster Design: R. Black


WALLS asks the question:
How can a nation of immigrants declare war on immigration?
The answer: FEAR!

L. Mary Jones (Velina Brown) knows all about fear. As a top agent for I.C.E. - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - she knows how to stoke fear to keep her country safe. Fear of people like Bahdoon Samakab (Rotimi Agbabiaka), a Somali refugee escaping oppression, fear of Cliodhna Aghabullogue (Lizzie Calogero), an Irish woman yearning to be American, and fear of Zaniyah Nahuatl (Marilet Martinez), whose family comes from... here. As a foreigner in a land her people have worked for thousands of years suddenly Zaniyah is a criminal, an illegal, a "bad hombre." What part of herself will this American give up to pass as "American?" Will she? Can she? Should she? Can someone leave part of themselves behind without losing their mind? And is it better or worse that she crossed the border to find Agent L. Mary Jones - the woman she loves?


Production Photo
Photographer: Mike@mikemelnyk.com
- Tango -
(l-r) Velina Brown (L. Mary), Marilet Martinez (Zaniyah Nahuatl) in
Walls.


Honors, Reviews and Articles:

"I'm pleased to report that Walls bigly and beautifully builds on the troupe's 58-year-tradition of 'fighting oppression, one play at a time'..."
sfist - 7/3/17

"... with Sullivan's wit, and the talents of this excellent cast under Edris Cooper-Anifowoshe's fast-paced direction, the Mime Troupe strikes just the right balance between comedy and - for too many in this country of immigrants - tragedy."
SF Examiner - 7/6/17

"I think that there are so many of us who are just questioning what kind of work we should be putting out into the world in order to make the world a better place, and seeing the Mime Troupe show has given me some fuel for that debate."
KALW - 7/13/17

"...stunning performances."
The Volunteer - 7/31/17

"'Walls,' takes aim at immigration crackdowns...director Edris Cooper-Anifowoshe gives the play a brisk staging...lyrics by Piero Amadeo Infante and music by Michael Bello, the songs are more dynamic...Carlos Aceves' evocative set..."
Marinij.com - 8/16/17
Back to the Archives