International Festival of Arts & Ideas

Roger Guenveur Smith will tour New England with his solo show, "Rodney King", which offers homage to the public and private life of Rodney King, whose beating by the Los Angeles police in 1991 triggered massive anger about racial injustice and terrible violence in the city. The beating was filmed and replayed repeatedly on the evening news making King a victim and an overnight celebrity. During the hour-long performance, Smith interrogates and embodies King, creating a complex portrait of a flawed, ordinary man thrust into the spotlight. New England tour partners will highlight civil rights and art as political action in engagement activities surrounding this project.