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

Josh Groban's Great Big Radio City Show Preview

Behind the Scenes of the Reopening of David Geffen Hall

Billy Joel: Live at Shea Stadium

GP at the Met: Nixon in China

Leonard Bernstein's Kaddish Symphony Preview

Renée Fleming and VPO

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

Mon, Nov 10	3:00 A.M.	Tiler Peck: Suspending Time NHPBS (11.1)
Mon, Nov 10	1:30 P.M.	Tiler Peck: Suspending Time NH Explore (11.2)
Mon, Nov 10	2:30 P.M.	New York City Ballet In Madrid NH Explore (11.2)
Fri, Nov 14	9:00 P.M.	Twelfth Night NHPBS (11.1)
Sat, Nov 15	1:00 A.M.	Twelfth Night NHPBS (11.1)
Mon, Nov 17	12:00 P.M.	Twelfth Night NH Explore (11.2)
Mon, Nov 24	2:00 P.M.	George Jones: Still Playin' Possum NH Explore (11.2)
Sun, Nov 30	3:00 P.M.	Andrea Bocelli 30th - The Celebration NH Explore (11.2)
Mon, Dec 15	11:00 A.M.	Henry Mancini 100 at the Hollywood Bowl NH Explore (11.2)
Mon, Dec 15	1:00 P.M.	Kiss Me, Kate NH Explore (11.2)
Tue, Dec 16	9:00 P.M.	Nutcracker from English National Ballet NHPBS (11.1)
Wed, Dec 17	1:30 A.M.	Nutcracker from English National Ballet NHPBS (11.1)
Thu, Dec 18	3:00 A.M.	Nutcracker from English National Ballet NHPBS (11.1)
Sat, Dec 20	9:30 P.M.	Nutcracker from English National Ballet NH Explore (11.2)