WMU HOME > ABOUT WMU > WMU NEWS

WMU News

Legendary Broadway producer visits Kalamazoo

Oct. 4, 2005

KALAMAZOO--Philip Rose, who produced the original Broadway version of "A Raisin in the Sun" and other landmark productions, will conduct classes with theatre majors from Western Michigan University and make a public presentation at Kalamazoo College during a visit to Kalamazoo this week.

Rose will present a free public forum about his life in the theatre at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, in Balch Playhouse on the campus of Kalamazoo College. Also Friday, Rose will conduct classes with theatre majors at WMU. The classes are not open to the public.

Rose's memoir, "You Can't Do That on Broadway," chronicles the challeges that he and artists like Lorraine Hansberry, Sidney Poitier, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee faced in introducing new voices to white audiences. After the Friday presentation at Balch Playhouse, Rose will sign copies of his memoir.

Rose paved the way for many African-American performers and playwrights working in New York City, and brought many now-famous stories to public acclaim. As a producer, he helped to create the original versions of "A Raisin in the Sun," "The Owl and the Pussycat," "Purlie," "Purlie Victorious," "Checkmates," and "Does A Tiger Wear A Necktie?"

Support for Rose's visit to Kalamazoo was provided by the Black Arts and Cultural Center of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University. Dr. Von H. Washington, WMU professor of theatre, is coordinating the visit.

Media contact: Patrick Donnelly, (269) 387-6222, patrick.donnelly@wmich.edu

WMU News
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
(269) 387-8400
www.wmich.edu/wmu/news