FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 20, 2025
CONTACT: Randall Hartzog, Theatre Memphis, Director of Marketing and Communications
Comedy Vs. Travesty on the Next Stage
Memphis, TN – The Thanksgiving Play, by Larissa Fasthorse, runs November 7 – 22, 2025, in the Theatre Memphis Next Stage. Topical and playful, this satirical comedy follows a group of four well-meaning but culturally insensitive white theatre artists as they attempt to create a politically correct elementary school play about the first Thanksgiving. They struggle with their own biases and the lack of Native representation to fulfill their goal of “appropriately” telling the story commonly reduced to stereotypes.
Director Jared Thomas Johnson leads the cast as they walk a fine line between aspirations and reality. “My approach to telling this particular story is to find what is core to the subject and to present it as anyone would who is passionate about right and wrong, anyone just trying to be a better human. And there is so much humor in that. I hope folks laugh and see how much laughter, even at ourselves, heals us as we navigate what could be considered an extreme situation.”
Theatre Memphis Executive Producer Debbie Litch reveals that The Thanksgiving Play is in the 2025-26 Theatre Memphis season as a direct result of Theatre Memphis’ Read to Relate program. “About three years ago we began a community-based program to explore plays with relevant content that represented our community’s diversity. Read to Relate is a program that invites the community to delve into material that can be about, by or driven by subjects relating to BIPOC, ALAANA and/or differently-abled communities. We could not be more proud to have found this particular script that addresses some sensitive subjects in a way that not just illuminates a topic, but entertains as well.”
For more information about Theatre Memphis or this production, please go to https://theatrememphis.org/shows/the-thanksgiving-play/.
The Thanksgiving Play directed by Jared Thomas Johnson
November 7- 22, 2025
In the Next Stage
Theatre Memphis, 630 Perkins Extd. Memphis, TN 38117
Sponsored by: Dr. Thomas W. Ratliff with additional support from Jim and Linda Brigance; Media Sponsors: WKNO 91.1fm and Memphis Flyer
Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for students and $20 for seniors and military
www.theatrememphis.org/tickets or 901.682.8323.
Theatre Memphis is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization located at 630 Perkins Extended @ Southern Avenue and is a community theatre whose mission it is to provide outstanding theatrical experiences to enrich the lives of our diverse audiences, participants and community. Theatre Memphis receives funding from ArtsMemphis and the Tennessee Arts Commission.
###
