Deep Dish Book Discussions

Deep Dish Theater Company Hosts Discussion of

"The Color of Water” by James McBride

CHAPEL HILL – The Deep Dish Theater Company will host an informal discussion of James McBride’s celebrated memoir “The Color of Water” on Thursday, September 15 at 7 p.m. Presented in conjunction with the theater’s production of “Permanent Collection,” which will be performed that evening at 8 p.m., the talk will take place in Tyndall Galleries in University Mall. Led by Drs. Evelyn Daniel and David Carr, the discussion is free and open to the public; no prior attendance or registration is required.

Subtitled “A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother,” the author writes of his inner turmoil as the black child of a white mother and of the love and faith with which she surrounded their large family. The result is a powerful portrait of growing up, a meditation on race and identity, and a poignant, beautifully crafted hymn from a son to his mother. The New York Times Book Review wrote that “the two stories, son's and mother's, ...strike a graceful note at a time of racial polarization.” The book has also been chosen for the Durham Reads Together community reading program.

Dr. Daniel and Dr. Carr both teach and do research in the School of Information and Library Science at UNC-CH. For the Deep Dish Theater, they have led discussions of such books as Saul Bellow’s “Mr. Sammler’s Planet,” Barbara Ehrenreich’s “Nickel and Dimed,” and Ernest J. Gaines’ “A Lesson Before Dying.” Dr. Carr also read T.C. Boyle’s “The Hector Quesadilla Story” for the theater’s “Side Dish” event, “Play Ball!”

The Deep Dish Theater Company’s production of “Permanent Collection,” the North Carolina premiere of a play about racial politics and artistic integrity by Thomas Gibbons, will be presented from Thursday, August 25, through Saturday, September 17. For reservations and information, please call 968-1515.

Deep Dish Theater Company is located in Chapel Hill’s University Mall, located on Estes Drive and US 15-501. Thursday through Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. There will also be a special early show at 7:30 on Wednesday, September 15. Tickets for all performances are $15, $13 for seniors, and $10 for students.