The one-woman show “Passing Solo” – a Towne Street Theatre production that explores the conflicting demands of race and friendship in 1920s Harlem – will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at Loyola Marymount University’s Murphy Recital Hall.
The show, which stars Nancy Cheryll Davis, tells the story of two reunited childhood friends who share a secret: their birth certificates read “Negro,” but both women can pass as white, and one does so as a way of life. Davis portrays both characters as the play explores their renewed friendship, along with themes of race and gender, love, passion and deceit.
“Passing Solo” is adapted from the Towne Street Theatre play “Passing” and the 1929 novel “Passing” by Nella Larsen.
Davis is an award-winning actress, director, producer and co-founder of the Towne Street Theatre, an African-American theater company founded after the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
“Passing Solo” is co-sponsored by LMU’s College of Communication and Fine Arts, the English and African-American Studies departments, Office of Black Student Services and Office of Ethnic and Intercultural Services. It is one of a series of events celebrating Black History Month on campus.
The performance is free and open to the public.