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When we chose to program Best of Enemies for the 2016 Season, it was in response to the unrest in Ferguson and elsewhere.  We asked, “How is it possible that we are fighting the same battles almost 40 years later?”

In 1971, two people from opposite sides of the street, in every possible sense, were thrust together to find a way to implement the Supreme Court’s mandate to desegregate public schools in Durham NC.  Ann Atwater, an outspoken African-American civil rights activist and C.P. Ellis, the Grand Cyclops of the KKK began the process as enemies-intolerant of each other and unwilling to bend.  Both professed Christians, they somehow believed that they each had right on their side.

But somehow, along the way, they discovered that they had more in common than they thought and slowly but surely came together to forge consensus.  In the process, they also became friends who helped one another in tough times and stayed close until C.P’s death.

Best of Enemies is a play for our times.  It is one of the most powerful and intriguing works we have ever tackled here at Bluff City and deserves to be seen by everyone.

In order to make it accessible to as many people as possible, we feature a pay-what-you-can preview on Tuesday, July 12th and group rates of just $17.50 for groups of 10 or more.

Every Thursday performance will feature an aftershow discussion with the cast about the play and its themes.

Buy tickets online at http://www.eventshannibal.comor call the box office at 573-719-3226.