Piedmont College’s next theatrical production And In This Corner: Cassius Clay focuses on the early life of boxing legend Muhammad Ali. The play begins with twenty-something year old Cassius Clay, soon to become Muhammad Ali, telling us about growing up in Louisville, KY, a city that was “split down the middle.” Then we travel back to 1953, when an 11-year-old Cassius does not understand why he cannot go into a “whites only” diner to get a drink. At age 12 he defiantly declares to his friends that he is going to be the first “negro superhero”.
When his new red bike gets stolen, Cassius threatens to use his superpowers to whup the thief. Police officer Joe Martin stops him and convinces him to train in the boxing ring instead. Cassius dedicates himself to boxing, and his newfound talent gives him the courage to challenge a neighborhood bully, Corky Baker, in the ring.
As his skills improve Joe convinces him to conquer his fear of flying and to compete in the 1960 Olympics in Rome. After winning the gold medal in boxing, Cassius dodges an interview question about segregation, but he can’t dodge his best friend Edie when he returns home. Edie urges Cassius to participate in a civil rights sit-in and accuses him of only fighting for himself when he refuses.
To prove him wrong, Cassius takes Edie to the “whites only” diner from the beginning of the play, but they are still refused service despite Cassius’ celebrity status. He throws his key to the city into the Ohio river vowing to never be treated as second-class again. In the end Cassius decides he is going to be the type of person who fights not only for himself, but for others too.
Actor Chandler Allen portrays Edie in the Piedmont production.
“I’m super excited for this show. For me, it isn’t just about boxing or learning about Muhammad Ali as an individual. It’s about understanding what it meant to be black during the 1950’s. My character, Edie, is a staunch advocate of civil rights and she becomes a Freedom Fighter later in the play. Portraying that on stage means a lot to me as an actor and a black woman.”
Playwright Idris Goodwin
Idris Goodwin, the playwright of And In This Corner: Cassius Clay, is a break beat poet, essayist, and educator. Goodwin was born in Detroit, Michigan and has earned a BA in Film, Video, and Screenwriting from Columbia College in Chicago, as well as an MFA in Creative Writing from The Art Institute of Chicago.
Goodwin has written several plays including And in This Corner… which was awarded the 2017 Distinguished Play Award from The American Association of Theater and Education (AATE), and How We Got On (2013).
Although Goodwin’s works are inspired greatly by hip hop music, he says his main inspiration is his family.
Goodwin is currently serving as the Producing Artistic Director of Stage One Family Theater in Louisville, Kentucky. In a recent interview about his work, Goodwin says, “My whole objective with theater is to galvanize communities together, to get people talking”
Show times and ticket information
And in this Corner: Cassius Clay will be on stage at the Swanson Center on Piedmont’s Demorest campus February 14-17. Show times are at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14-16 and 2 p.m. on Feb. 17.
Tickets are $5 for general admission and free for Piedmont faculty, staff and students.
Call the Box Office at 706-778-8500 x1355 weekdays from 2 – 5 p.m. to purchase tickets or click here to purchase tickets online.
