...and Jesus Moonwalks the Mississippi

A co-production with Playwrights Foundation, directed by Amy Mueller.
Set on the banks of the Mississippi during the final days of the Civil War . . . And Jesus Moonwalks The Mississippi is a poetic journey of forgiveness and redemption. Inspired by the myth of Demeter and Persephone, this thought-provoking fantasia play combines traditional storytelling, gospel music, and a wicked sense of humor to create a rich, imaginative world that allows trees to preach, rivers to waltz, and Jesus to moonwalk. Amy Mueller directs this profoundly moving story, which was workshopped during Risk is ThisThe Cutting Ball New Experimental Plays Festival, the only play festival in America solely dedicated to experimental works for the stage.
About the production Gardley says, Jesus Moonwalks is in a lot of ways my signature play . . . this play has a personal resonance to me because it is based upon a story my great-grandmother used to tell about her father who fled the bonds of slavery and traveled the country in search of his family . . . It is my hope that the play opens the door for dialogue about the impact of myth, spirituality, and history on our national culture. One of the Bay Areas most important new poet-playwrights, Gardley was among Dramatists Magazines 50 writers to watch in 2007.