University of Detroit Mercy's Theatre Company kicked off its 2006–2007 season with the well-received production, Of Mice and Men, on Sept. 29 at Marygrove College. The season continues with Polish Joke beginning Nov. 17 for three weekends, followed by Theatre Co-Chair Arthur Beer's production of Malice Aforethought: The Sweet Trials, in February. The season ends with the musical, Urinetown, beginning March 23. See complete schedule at the Theatre Company Web site.

From left: Afterglow sponsor Rene Saenz ’75, CLAE Alumni President Tom Van Esley ’75 and Michele Van Esley speak with Of Mice and Men cast member Matt Klug.

"Of particular interest to Detroiters is Malice Aforethought, the story of the civil rights landmark Sweet Trials, which was first performed by the Company in 1987," says Courtney Burkett, Theatre Company business manager.  The play tells the story of Dr. Ossian Sweet, a prominent black Detroit physician who was charged in 1925 with the murder of a white man, defended by noted attorney Clarence Darrow, and acquitted by an all-white jury in the courtroom of Judge Frank Murphy.

Dr. Ossian Sweet in 1925

UDM's production of Malice Aforethought will be the focal point of a series of statewide activities, drawing attention to the issues of race, social status and civil rights in a culture-based setting. These activities, which are supported by the State of Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries, are set to coincide with Black History Month.

In addition, The Michigan Council of the Arts approved a grant to support a series of special events including student matinees, lectures, and panel discussions in conjunction with UDM's production of Malice Aforethought. The Michigan Association of Libraries as well as area law associations have also offered support. "We are scheduling seven student matinees of Malice Aforethought, too," Burkett adds.

Finally, author Kevin Boyle '82, will speak on UDM's McNichols Campus on Thursday Feb. 1, the eve of the opening of Malice Aforethought.  A professor at Ohio State University, Boyle won both the 2004 National Book Award and the 2005 Library of Michigan's Notable Book Award for Arc of Justice: A Saga of Race, Civil Rights, & Murder in the Jazz Age, his non-fiction rendering of the Sweet Trials. In conjunction with the production, Detroit-area libraries are participating in a program called "Everybody Reads," a community reading program featuring Arc of Justice.

For more information, see the Sweet Trials Project web site.

"Alumni Afterglow receptions are scheduled for Nov. 18, Feb. 3 and March 31, following the evening's performance in the Marygrove College gallery," Burkett says.  "They provide an opportunity for alumni to socialize with each other as well as the cast." Approximately 50 guests attended the Oct. 14 Afterglow, which was sponsored by Two Men and A Truck in Novi, following the play, Of Mice and Men.

Call 313-993-3270 or e-mail udmgrad@udmercy.edu to reserve tickets for the plays and Afterglow receptions.