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.

Episode 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

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GP at the Met: La Fanciulla del West

GP at the Met: Don Carlo

Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Pierre Boulez Conducts Mahler

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

Fri, Apr 19	9:00 P.M.	Now Hear This: Virtuosos NHPBS (11.1)
Sat, Apr 20	1:00 A.M.	Now Hear This: Virtuosos NHPBS (11.1)
Mon, Apr 22	3:00 A.M.	Now Hear This: Virtuosos NHPBS (11.1)
Mon, Apr 22	12:00 P.M.	Now Hear This: Virtuosos NH Explore (11.2)
Fri, Apr 26	9:00 P.M.	Now Hear This: Old Friends NHPBS (11.1)
Sat, Apr 27	1:00 A.M.	Now Hear This: Old Friends NHPBS (11.1)
Mon, Apr 29	3:00 A.M.	Now Hear This: Old Friends NHPBS (11.1)
Mon, Apr 29	12:00 P.M.	Now Hear This: Old Friends NH Explore (11.2)
Fri, May 3	9:00 P.M.	Now Hear This: The Composer Is Yoo NHPBS (11.1)
Mon, May 6	3:00 A.M.	Now Hear This: The Composer Is Yoo NHPBS (11.1)
Mon, May 6	12:00 P.M.	Now Hear This: The Composer Is Yoo NH Explore (11.2)
Fri, May 10	9:00 P.M.	Hamlet NHPBS (11.1)
Sat, May 11	2:00 A.M.	Hamlet NHPBS (11.1)
Mon, May 13	12:00 P.M.	Hamlet NH Explore (11.2)
Fri, May 17	9:00 P.M.	Audra McDonald at the London Palladium NHPBS (11.1)
Sat, May 18	1:00 A.M.	Audra McDonald at the London Palladium NHPBS (11.1)