unFRAMED
written and performed by
Iyaba Ibo Mandingo
directed by Brent Buell
Meet Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, formerly Kenny Athel George DeCruise - painter, poet, husband, father, son, and undocumented immigrant from Antigua. At the age of eleven, Iyaba is plucked from the tropical comfort of his boyhood and taken to life in America where he must navigate his way to manhood without the guidance of a father. Using canvas, paint, poetry, prose and song, Iyaba tells us a story of his transformation from “Mommy Me No Wanna Go Merrica”- a prophetic piece that hints at the many trials he will face in a new land - to his powerful political poetry that would lead to his arrest and attempted deportation in post 9/11 America. Throughout the play Iyaba shares his rage, his determination, and his hope while he paints his self portrait and successfully struggles to redefine his humanity, rediscover his smile, and truly accept himself for the first time.
Next Up:
03/31 - 04/01, 2012
InterAct Theatre
2030 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Friday March 30 & Saturday March 31 at 8pm
Sunday, April 1 at 2pm
Tickets & Information: http://bit.ly/unFRAMEDinPhilly
PRIOR PERFORMANCES:
On Monday, February 27, Iyaba and Brent took unFRAMED inside Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, NY at the invitation of the NAACP and the ILC (Prisoner's association). They were thrilled to return to the prison where Iyaba and Brent first met as volunteers in 2001.
