Ebony Repertory to resume ‘Paul Robeson’ play with Keith David

A new Los Angeles production of the Phillip Hayes Dean play “Paul Robeson,” starring Keith David, will resume performances Friday, the Ebony Repertory Theatre announced.

Performances of the play at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center were postponed last week after David suffered swelling of the knee that made walking difficult. The production had had just one preview performance at the time.

“Paul Robeson” is scheduled for one more preview Friday at 8 p.m. The official opening is now set for Saturday at 2 p.m.

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The play is still scheduled to run through March 30. To make up for missed days, the company has added new performances for April 18 at 8 p.m., April 19 at 8 p.m., and April 20 at 7 p.m.

“Paul Robeson,” which is being directed by the playwright, tells the story of the pioneering black stage and screen actor. The play was first performed on Broadway in 1978, with James Earl Jones in the title role.

The play is essentially a solo show with some music, performed by pianist Byron J. Smith.

David appeared last year in a revival of August Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” at the Mark Taper Forum.

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