Home » West of Lenin Host Controversial Figures In ‘The Agitators’

West of Lenin Host Controversial Figures In ‘The Agitators’

Check out this powerful discussion of timely topics.
Check out this powerful discussion of timely topics.

On the West of Lenin stage June 6th – 30th, A.J. Epstein presents ‘The Agitators’ by Mat Smith.  This new play, set between 1849 and 1895, explores the decades-long, sometimes adversarial relationship between Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony.

As Anthony advocates and campaigns for women’s right to vote with the suffragette movement, Douglass fights for an end to slavery and securing the rights for Black men to vote.  The two meet at the Anthony Farm, a safe haven for abolitionists and a place where Douglass finds refuge with his family.  Over the course of time, the two question the validity of their independent struggles and often spar over the conflicts of race and gender rights inherent in their quests.

In 'The Agitators' at WofL, Reginald Andre Jackson as Frederick Douglass and Carol Roscoe as Susan B. Anthony  Photo provided by West of Lenin
In ‘The Agitators’ at WofL, Reginald Andre Jackson as Frederick Douglass and Carol Roscoe as Susan B. Anthony Photo provided by West of Lenin

Director Valerie Curtis-Newton has observed about ‘The Agitators’, “It is about the clear need to shake things up and about how the oppressed and the suppressed are pitted against each other.  How a scarcity mindset can be used against people.”  Formidable actress Carol Roscoe and the extremely experienced actor-playwright Reginald Andre Jackson will realize this compelling discussion and debate around injustices inherent in slavery, and using freedom as a tool for agitation.

Purchase tickets now to see the important and intellectually stimulating ‘Agitators’ at West of Lenin, through the WofL website (click here.)  The show will run Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8p (no show on June 22nd,) with a matinee on Sundays at 2p and on Saturday, June 29th, and a special pay-what-you-can on Monday, June 17th.  The West of Lenin is an intimate, 88-seat black box theater – so purchase tickets now to see this amazing production.