Forgiving John Lennon April 23, 2011

William Missouri Downs' timely and disconcertingly dark comedy is about political correctness, racial and ethnic profiling and cultural confrontation. As a joke a student at the radio station of a small liberal arts college informs all Muslim students they must wear identification markers. In the resulting backlash, two progressive professors set out to create a more "Islam-friendly" campus atmosphere. When an invited Somali poet arrives the professors go out of their way to make her comfortable, but soon their desire for tolerance is called into question. The Somali poet turns out to be a formidable cultural and religious challenge. The confrontation ends with a surprising and shocking conclusion. The Repertory's resident designer and stage director, Harry Wetzel, will direct 'Forgiving John Lennon.'