TAR BABY

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“Rarely has systemic racism been interrogated with such a potent mix of anger, wit, and self-conscious theatricality”

--The Times London

 

"Smart, original, refreshing, and maybe even necessary"

--The New Yorker

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Alt-comedy diva and one of Huffington Post’s ‘Favourite Female Comedians’ Desiree Burch brings her ground-breaking show Tar Baby to regional theater across the states. Previously seen in New York and garnering rave reviews at  Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Burch’s comedic solo show tears apart the notion of ‘post-racial’ America and investigates the intersection of institution and individuality, all in her characteristic sardonic and straightforward style.

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With a political and economic landscape that continues to polarize us, violence on our televisions and our streets and a growing sense of mass isolation, who are your people? Where do you find them? And what assumptions are you making about the others? Let Desiree help rid you of the blinkers you didn’t even know you were wearing through wisecracking repartee, astute insight and powerful vulnerability. What she ultimately offers is a deeper sense of connection in the conversation about race.

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Our setting is an all-American old time carnival that has managed to continue touring way past its prime, where each of the carnival’s sideshows represents a story from Desiree’s experiences of racism in America. Let Desiree be your guide in this exploration of America’s love affair with race and capitalism, as she reveals their impact on her experiences as a black woman in academia, the entertainment industry and personal relationships. Solo, devised and interactive theatre forms combine in this revolutionary theatrical experience that speaks for the growing majority of minority experiences in America.

 

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DESIREE BURCH (PERFORMER & WRITER) is a performance artist, comedian and creator of the international hit solo show “52 Man Pickup” (“****” - The Scotsman). A NY- to-London transplant, Burch is a TEDx speaker, Yale University graduate and member of the Drama Desk and OBIE Award-winning ensemble The New York Neo-Futurists. Her original work has been featured at PS 122, Joe’s Pub, Ars Nova and Carolines on Broadway. Her television credits feature appearances on VH1, NBC and E4. She is also plays the role of Pamela Winchell for the popular cult podcast “Welcome To Night Vale”.  

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