CHALLENGE THEATRE EXAMINES THE LOSS OF PERSONAL RIGHTS
WITH HUMOR AND UNDERSTANDING

Challenge Theatre, 6th@Penn Theatre's innovative program of new plays, presents four works by local playwrights that probe the violation of personal rights among one's own kind. Each playwright deals with a different group: members of the same family, members of the same religious group, Black men among Black men, gays among gays.

In "Box Humana," Ruff Yeager shows us a family in splinters because of one's dementia and another's blindness to the family's needs. "Company Men," by Allan Havis, places Black men in the work place who have very different ways of defining and seeking success.

Doug Hoehn's "Mine Own Ways" reveals the losses experienced by a young lesbian bent on living as a man. "Thy Will Be Done," by Leslie Ridgeway, pits a nun against her bishop as they quarrel over the difference between the law of the state and the mission of the church.

Challenge Theatre's first production drew packed houses and this program promises to be as exciting and interesting as that. The show opens on July 7 with 11 performances at various times through July 22. The program is a part of 6th@Penn Theatre's Human Rights Festival 2007, "Resilience of the Spirit.

Directors of the plays are T. J. Anthony assisted by Charmen Jackson, Francine Chemnick, Jonathan Sturch and Chelsea Whitmore. Michael Thomas Tower is artistic director of the program.

Details and ticket purchase are available at challengetheatre.com and 6thatpenn.com.