Twilight: Los Angeles -
great performances

Anna Deavere Smith has been credited with inventing a new form of theater -- a provocative blend of performance, social commentary and journalism designed to encourage a national dialogue about controversial issues. For her powerful one woman/multi-voiced theater piece about the 1991 Rodney King beating, the violent aftermath of the 1992 verdict and the lasting impact of the Los Angeles riots on America's conscience, Smith interviewed hundreds of people involved in the event and its aftermath. She virtually "becomes" some 30 real life characters -- a Korean grocer, a Hollywood agent, L.A.P.D. captain Daryl Gates, a juror, even NRA spokesperson Charlton Heston. Recounting their stories verbatim, Smith assumes their voices and mannerisms with chameleon like accuracy, chronicling this complex tragedy from its many cultural perspectives. For this film adaptation of Smith's acclaimed play "Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992," award-winning director Marc Levin (Slam, Whiteboys) weaves Smith's virtuoso stage performance with news footage and recent interviews to create an unflinching portrait of rage, sorrow, loss and battered hope.

Duration: 1 hour 26 minutes and 45 seconds

Episode Number: 3710

No future air times were found for this episode.

About Great Performances:

GREAT PERFORMANCES, the longest-running performing arts anthology on television, continues to feature the best in the performing arts.

Watch Great Performances - Clips, Episodes & Previews

Sheldon Harnick on "Fiddler on the Roof"

Behind the Scenes of the Reopening of David Geffen Hall

Piotr Becza?a and Tamara Wilson in Lohengrin

Boris Godunov - Preview

GP at the Met: Nixon in China

Great Performances at the Met: Lohengrin Preview

Future Broadcast times for "Great Performances": (show all)

Mon, Aug 25	11:00 A.M.	Now Hear This: Rachmaninoff Reborn NH Explore (11.2)
Mon, Aug 25	12:00 P.M.	Now Hear This: Barrios: Chopin of the Guitar NH Explore (11.2)
Fri, Aug 29	9:00 P.M.	Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert 2025 NHPBS (11.1)
Sat, Aug 30	1:00 A.M.	Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert 2025 NHPBS (11.1)
Mon, Sep 1	3:00 A.M.	Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert 2025 NHPBS (11.1)
Mon, Sep 1	11:00 A.M.	Now Hear This: Barrios: Chopin of the Guitar NH Explore (11.2)
Mon, Sep 1	12:00 P.M.	Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert 2025 NH Explore (11.2)
Mon, Sep 8	11:00 A.M.	Now Hear This Schumann: Genius and Madness NH Explore (11.2)
Mon, Sep 15	11:00 A.M.	Now Hear This Piazzolla's History with Tango NH Explore (11.2)
Mon, Sep 22	11:00 A.M.	Now Hear This Andy Akiho Found (his) Sound NH Explore (11.2)
Mon, Sep 29	11:00 A.M.	Now Hear This Albeniz: Portraits of Spain NH Explore (11.2)
Fri, Oct 3	9:00 P.M.	The Magic of Grace Bumbry NHPBS (11.1)