Barbecue

Trustus Theatre kicks off Season 33: EYES OPEN with Robert O’Hara’s Barbecue on the Thigpen Main Stage this September. Leading off with an intervention, not-so- skillfully masquerading as a family get together in the local park, Barbecue brings together a family, each with their own form of addiction, trying to wrangle the most addicted sister into a rehabilitation facility.
The O’Mallery’s, a white family, have congregated together in the town’s local park under the pretense of a family barbecue, a ruse devised by one sibling to bring out their reckless, drug-addicted sister for an intervention. Suddenly, in the middle of the first scene, the lights go down and come back up to reveal the same O’Mallery’s, with the exception that they are all black. What follows becomes raucous and unpredictable as familial stereotypes collide with hard realities, and racial politics slam up against the stories we tell – and maybe even believe – about who we were and who we’ve become.
Barbecue is written by playwright Robert O’Hara (Bootycandy) and will be directed by Ilene Fins.

Trustus Theatre’s Artistic Director, Chad Henderson, says, “We’re incredibly proud to bring this play to Columbia, and to open our 33 rd Season with it. Robert O’Hara is a great American playwright, and this work has been seen by audiences at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre, and at The Public in New York City. It’s a rather new play, and a fresh examination of family, addiction and our personal ownership of our experiences. This play is a family comedy that unravels with twists and turns that take the audience down delightfully unexpected paths. This show is definitely the type of theatre that puts Trustus on the map. We’re also thrilled that we get to bring many new faces to our Main Stage with this production, as well as bringing some popular Trustus Company Members like Dewey Scott-Wiley, Elena Martinez-Vidal, Chris Cockrell and Devin Anderson together. Plus, Ilene Fins, one of Trustus’ original Company Members who directed our stirring production of Boy, is at the helm and she’s an excellent storyteller. Audiences may not have heard of this show, but once they see it, they’re going to be very glad they did. Trust us.”
Join Trustus Theatre for an incredibly unique evening in the theatre as they introduce the work of one of America’s most exciting contemporary playwrights to Columbia. Celebrate the opening of Season 33 and Barbecue on Friday, September 8th from 6-8pm with a block party outside of the theatre on Lady Street. Bone- In Barbeque food truck will be in attendance in addition to happy hour drinks in the Trustus Theatre bar, music, and plenty of fun!