The Marshall L. Davis Sr. African Heritage Cultural Arts Center is staging the play Detroit ’67 this month as part of programming tied to the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
The production runs now through March 22 in the Wendell A. Narcisse Performing Arts Theater. Performances are scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3:30 p.m.
Written by playwright Dominique Morisseau, Detroit ’67 is set during the 1967 Detroit uprising. The story follows siblings Chelle and Lank, who turn the basement of their inherited Detroit home into an after-hours club to earn extra income. According to a press release, tensions rise when Lank brings home a white woman as racial unrest spreads across the city, forcing the siblings to confront family conflict and the realities of racial division.
The play features Motown-era music and explores themes of race relations, family bonds and the pursuit of economic opportunity during the Civil Rights Movement.
Center Director Marshall L. Davis Sr. said the production provides an opportunity to reflect on the historical moment it depicts.
“This annual theater department production of Detroit ’67 allows us to explore the impact of racial and social unrest on a Black family’s pursuit of economic freedom during the 1967 Detroit uprising,” he said in the press release. “As we commemorate 250 years of our nation’s history, it is important to examine the moments that challenged and ultimately shaped our democracy.”
“The personal conflicts inside the home mirror the unrest outside, reminding us that history is not just lived in the streets — it is lived in our relationships, our ambitions, and our dreams.” -Jean Hyppolite
(Gregory Reed)
Production director Jean Hyppolite said the play focuses on how large historical events affect personal relationships.
“At its heart, Detroit ’67 is about family, survival, and hope,” Hyppolite said. “The personal conflicts inside the home mirror the unrest outside, reminding us that history is not just lived in the streets — it is lived in our relationships, our ambitions, and our dreams.”
According to the press release, the center is presenting the play as part of programming connected to the United States’ 250th anniversary, offering audiences a chance to reflect on struggles and resilience that have shaped the country.
Founded in 1975 and located in Liberty City, the Marshall L. Davis Sr. African Heritage Cultural Arts Center operates under the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and focuses on supporting emerging talent in the performing and visual arts.
Tickets and additional information are available by calling 305-638-6771 or visiting the center’s website, according to the press release.