Award-winning actor Danny Glover and his good friend, actor and director Felix Justice, will bring “An Evening with Martin and Langston,” their acclaimed theatrical presentation of the works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Langston Hughes, to East Tennessee State University on Tuesday, March 27.
This event begins at 7:30 p.m. on the west side of the Memorial Center (Mini-Dome) athletic complex. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
This one-of-a-kind program of performance and theatrical readings begins with Justice and his critically acclaimed portrayal of Martin Luther King Jr.
With nothing but himself and two of King’s most memorable and inspiring speeches, Justice virtually transforms into the legendary civil rights leader, momentarily recreating “the power of the man and his message” on the campus stage.
Next, Justice introduces Glover – “an old friend of mine I think you may have heard of” – who brings to life the uniquely African-American words and rhythms of Langston Hughes, one of the country’s most celebrated writers.
Along the way, Glover shares insights into the varied ways Hughes’ writings have touched him throughout his life.
Following the performances, Justice joins Glover on stage for questions and answers.
“An Evening with Martin and Langston,” as well as “Randolph and Robeson: Laboring for Our Rights,” which explores the lives of labor activist A. Philip Randolph and the multi-talented athlete and activist Paul Robeson, are the result of the long history of friendship and mutual respect that Glover and Justice share both on- and off-stage.
The two have been friends since they first met as struggling San Francisco Bay area actors several years ago.
A native of San Francisco, Glover attended San Francisco State College and trained at the Black Actor’s Workshop of the American Conservatory Theater.
He first came to national attention for his performance in the New York production of Athol Fugard’s “Master Harold and the Boys.” Not long afterward, he received widespread critical acclaim for his portrayal of cotton farmer Moze in the Academy Award-winning film “Places in the Heart.”
Since then, he has starred in such films as “Dreamgirls,” “The Color Purple,” “Silverado,” “Predator 2,” “Grand Canyon,” “A Rage in Harlem,” “Angels in the Outfield,” “To Sleep with Anger” (of which he was also executive producer) and the popular “Lethal Weapon” series with Mel Gibson.
Glover earned an Emmy nomination for his supporting role in television’s top-rated mini-series, “Lonesome Dove,” and his second NAACP Image Award for his performance in the title role of HBO’s “Mandela.” In 1991, he was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.
The father of four, Justice grew up in Florence, S.C., and studied theater in both San Francisco and New York. He has been acting and directing for over 30 years. His one-man Martin Luther King Jr. show, “Prophecy in America,” premiered at the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre in San Francisco in 1981 and has toured widely in the United States and Africa.
All seats are general admission, and ticket sales are cash only.
ETSU students may receive one free ticket with current ID, ETSU faculty and staff may purchase one $5 ticket with current ID, and additional advance tickets and general public tickets are $10 each. All day-of-event seats are $15.
Advance tickets will be distributed from the D.P. Culp University Center’s first floor information booth from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. according to the following schedule: ETSU students may pick up their free individual tickets on March 14-15 and 19-21 (students may purchase additional tickets beginning March 22), and ETSU faculty and staff, the general public and ETSU students may purchase advance tickets March 22-23 and 26.
Tickets will be sold the day of the event at Memorial Center’s west side ticket window beginning at 5 p.m.
Co-sponsors are ETSU’s Student Government Association BUC Fund, Diversity Events Committee, Office of Equity and Diversity, Black Affairs Association, Office of the President, Department of English, Office of Admissions, Residence Hall Association, National Pan-Hellenic Conference and Office of Undergraduate Student Advisement.
For more information, call the ETSU Office of Student Affairs at 439-4210.
To arrange special accommodations for those with disabilities, contact the Office of Disability Services at 439-8346 by noon on Monday, March 26.

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