Syracuse Stage, in partnership with 100 Black Men of Syracuse, announced that the company’s 2024/25 season will officially begin with “Citizen James, or the Young Man Without a Country”—a powerful and illuminating live world premiere production from resident playwright Kyle Bass on Aug. 2-3 at 7:30 p.m. in the Archbold Theatre, 820 E. Genesee St., Syracuse.
Directed by Joann Maria Yarrow, the live world premiere of “Citizen James” will be presented as a two-night-only free celebration beginning on Aug. 2 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Baldwin’s birth—coincidentally, it is also the birthday of actor James Alton, who portrays Baldwin in the play.
Originally incubated as part of the Stage’s Backstory program and presented as a streaming-only event in the 2020/2021 season, this one-man show about a young James Baldwin follows the Paris-bound aspiring author and activist as he is seeking refuge from the racist violence of America in the 1940s, on his way to becoming a towering literary figure and a still-relevant voice of the Civil Rights movement.
“In his novels, essays, stage plays, speeches and interviews, James Baldwin was and remains a singular observer and chronicler not only of the Black American experience but of the American experience—a nation in conflict with itself,” says Bass. “Long one of my literary heroes, in ‘Citizen James’ I was interested in creating a portrait of Baldwin as a young, gifted, Black and unknown artist already possessed of the deep feeling, trenchant intellect, urgent concern and piercing insight that would become the hallmarks of his writing, his social activism and his international persona.”
“100 Black Men of Syracuse is thrilled to grow its partnership with Syracuse Stage this summer in celebrating James Baldwin’s Centennial,” says Claude Greene, president, 100 Black Men of Syracuse. “We are grateful to CNY Arts and to New York State for providing the funding that allows us to further our mission to rebuild a sense of community in our backyards, and it is a privilege work alongside Kyle Bass as he shares Baldwin’s still-relevant genius with Syracuse.”
“Kyle Bass’ text is a brilliant homage to the genius of James Baldwin, his conflicts and struggles as an artist, and how they reflect our own contemporary times,” says Yarrow, who also serves as the Syracuse Stage director of community engagement. “It is uncompromising, inspiring and a celebration of 100 years of creative activism and social change.”
Syracuse Stage will also host a pre-show event on Aug. 2 beginning at 6 p.m. to celebrate Baldwin’s indelible contribution to American culture. Featuring a showcase of books, fashion, records and art from community partners 100 Black Men of Syracuse, Black Citizens Brigade, Black Cub Productions, Community Folk Art Center and Syracuse University Libraries, the event will be catered by Our Vegan Corner and Hope Café with music by DJ Bella J from One the One DJ Center in Syracuse.
The Friday, Aug. 2, performance will conclude with a post-show panel discussion, featuring playwright Kyle Bass, Joan Bryant, associate professor of African American studies in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Cjala Surratt, owner of Black Citizens Brigade. The panel will be moderated by Community Folk Art Center executive director Tanisha Jackson. The Saturday, Aug. 3, performance will also feature a post-show talkback with Bass, Alton and Yarrow.
“Citizen James” is made possible through the CNY Arts Grants for Regional Arts and Cultural Engagement regrant program thanks to a New York State Senate Initiative supported by the State Legislature, the Office of the Governor and administered by the New York State Council on the Arts.
The Friday, Aug. 2, performance for “Citizen James” is sold-out. Tickets for the Saturday, Aug. 3, performance can be purchased by visiting SyracuseStage.org/CitizenJames and following the ticketing link.
