THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
Executive Director, Crystal Field

Presents

WHEN GOLD TURNS BLACK

January 30 – February 16, 2025
Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM

Tickets: $20, Students & Seniors $15
Run Time: 1 hour 15 minutes including intermission
JOHNSON THEATER

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
155 First Avenue (between 9th and 10th Street)
New York, NY 10003
Directions

Tommie Smith and John Carlos are heralded world class sprinters bound for Olympic glory when their controversial college professor challenges them to speak out against racism on campus. They would become emboldened at the idea that they could effect change by boycotting the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, Mexico, so much that they would agree to do so. The idea of a boycott became a rallying cry for black athletes around the country. The boycott would eventually be called off after their champion and staunch supporter Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is assassinated. Dr. King’s death sent shock waves of hopelessness and defeat throughout the movement. Determined to bring about world attention to the plight of black America, they each must first accomplish their initial goal of winning an Olympic medal to make the podium. Tommie, John, and along with Peter Norman would make a spontaneous and profound gesture on the world’s largest stage to protest racism, and injustice. Together their silent protest would create one of the most iconic photographs of the 20th century, inspiring generations and athletes of goodwill around the world years later.

CAST
Leon Alexander as Tommie Smith
Dimitri Dewes Jr as John Carlos
Sania Hyatt as Kim Carlos
Brian Patterson* as Peter Norman
Jeffrey Roth* as Brent Musburger
Kelechi Udenkwo as Professor Edwards
Jes Washington* as Denise Smith

PRODUCTION TEAM
Ron Wilks – Writer
Count Stovall* – Director
Jacqueline Scaletta – Lighting Design
Cianna S. Stovall – Set Design & Props
Lo Oliviér – Costume Design
Lanii Johnson – Wardrobe Assistant
Michele Baldwin – Technical Director & Projection Designer
Diana Brito – Projection Design Assistant
Amy Stoller – Dialect Coach
Janice C. Lane* – Stage Manager
Ana Pri – Assistant Stage Manager

*Appearing courtesy of Actors Equity Association