In response to current events and in solidarity with Black Lives Matter-LA, the Fountain Theatre presented a one-time live online reading of Stephen Sachs’ critically acclaimed, award-winning stage adaptation of Claudia Rankine’s “Citizen: An American Lyric.”

The portrayal of racism in America was livestreamed on June 7 at 5 p.m. on Facebook, Twitter, the theater’s YouTube channel and on Zoom.

“The times have called us, once again,” said Sachs, playwright and Fountain Theatre’s artistic director. “‘Citizen’ is a powerful, meaningful way for the Fountain to continue adding our voice to the national conversation.”

“Citizen: An American Lyric” is a stage adaptation of Rankine’s National Book Critics Circle award-winning book of poetry. Sachs examines racial aggression, seemingly every day acts of racism are scrutinized as part of a testimony of “living while black” in America, from the shooting of Trayvon Martin, to the tennis career of Serena Williams to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

“Citizen” premiered at the Fountain Theatre in 2015, and it was remounted at L.A.’s Kirk Douglas Theatre as part of CTG Block Party in 2017.

The play was chosen by the Music Center to represent Los Angeles theater at the 2018 Our L.A. Voices “Best of L.A.” arts festival, and has been produced at theaters across the country.

The online performance was directed by Shirley Jo Finney, who was the helm of all three L.A. productions, and produced by James Bennett. Original cast members Bernard K. Addison, Leith Burke, Tony Maggio, Monnae Michaell and Lisa Pescia were joined by Adenrele Ojo for the online show.

To view the performance, visit youtube.com/watch?v=1-E0gk4ZNRM.      

For information, visit fountaintheatre.com.