Making History and Friends at Acacia Theatre

MILWAUKEE (May 6, 2024) – “I couldn’t believe I had never heard that Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass were friends!” remarks Mat Smart, the playwright of The Agitators, upcoming at Acacia Theatre. “I wanted to investigate their friendship and write about it…[What] is so inspiring to me about Susan and Frederick was their ability to have a healthy, hard dialogue with…people who hated them. [How can we] better listen to people who believe different things than we believe…How do we see with someone else’s eyes?”

The play uses facts and source material to dramatize Douglass and Anthony’s friendship, which thrives on their shared passion for justice and survives civil war, personal betrayals and the powers that be. The Agitators is “theater at its best…reminding us of where we’ve been, where we are and how far we still have to go.” (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

Susan B. Anthony is played by Susie Duecker, praised for her “heroic” and “charismatic” portrayals in theaters all over Milwaukee and a “riveting portrait” in Acacia’s The Jeweler’s Shop (Shepherd Express). Dennis Lewis, who last gave a “powerful” (Shepherd Express) performance in Acacia’s The Potting Shed, is Frederick Douglass; his appearances with other companies have been highlighted for their “comic poise” (The Small Stage) and “dramatic flair” (Wisconsin Theater Spotlight).

In keeping with Acacia’s commitment to make theatre more accessible, all tickets for The Agitators are Pay-What-You-Can and can be purchased at www.acaciatheatre.com or by calling 414-744-5995. Performances will be given in The Norvell Commons at St. Christopher’s Church, located at 7845 North River Road, Milwaukee, WI 53217.

Performances
Fri., June 14 at 7:30 PM, Sat., June 15 at 7:30 PM, Sun., June 16 at 3:00 PM, Thu., June 20 at 7:30 PM, Fri., June 21 at 7:30 PM, Sat., June 22 at 4:00 PM, Sun., June 23 at 3:00 PM, Fri., June 28 at 7:30 PM, Sat., June 29 at 4:00 PM, Sun., June 30 at 3:00 PM

Ticket Information
All performances of The Agitators are Pay-What-You-Can. Tickets can be purchased at www.acaciatheatre.com or by calling 414-744-5995.

About Acacia Theatre Company
Founded in 1980, Acacia Theatre Company is an independent, non-profit, interdenominational group of dramatic artists who share a common desire to integrate art and faith by presenting theatre from a Judeo-Christian worldview.  Through uplifting, quality entertainment, Acacia provides occasion for thanksgiving, growth and enjoyment, and the opportunity for Christians and non-Christians to consider their lives in relation to God.  More information is available at www.acaciatheatre.com.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.