The Opponent

The African Heritage Cultural Arts Center presents “The Opponent,” written by Brett Neveu. Performances will run three weekends for ten shows: Thursday, October 6 through Sunday, October 23, 2022, at the Center’s Wendell A. Narcisse Performing Arts Theater at 6161 N.W. 22nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33142. Tickets range from $25-$30 and are available at Eventbrite.

 

Directed by Lowell Williams, “The Opponent” looks at the hardscrabble world of boxing from the perspective of a small-time boxing gym owner, the seen-it-all-and-then-some Tremont “Tre” Billiford (Enrique Galan) and a young up-and-comer, the charismatic and fast-moving Donell Fuseles (Kedar Myers). The play explores difficult truths revealed as questions of loyalty, dreams deferred, and fractured losses that become unearthed. Tensions quickly rise between the two broken men as both accuse the other of causing the failures that define their lives while approaching the inevitable fight that will ultimately prove who truly is the champ.

 

“The Opponent” marks the first professional theatrical production since the pandemic halted productions produced by the Center. The last professional production was Charlayne Woodard’s “Pretty Fire” in 2020.

 

Marshall L. Davis, managing director at AHCAC, welcomes audiences back, stating, “We are delighted to bring professional theater back for South Florida audiences. This play promises to keep patrons entranced by its stunning performances.”

 

“We chose ‘The Opponent’ to further the Center’s mission, highlighting local talent and providing another opportunity to share unique stories rooted in diversity – and hope,” Mr. Davis continued.

 

The Chicago Tribune’s Chris Jones describes “The Opponent” as “a great new play that dances, parries and, most important, lands some killer punches.” TheatreMania adds that the work “concisely captures the dirty and disillusioning business of growing into adulthood—a path that sadly forces us to recognize the fallible humanity of our most respected mentors.”

 

Tickets may be purchased at Eventbrite. The general admission ticket price is $25. The official opening night and reception is Saturday, October 8, 2022, at 7 p.m., and is priced at $30.  

 

For additional information, please call the Center at: (305) 638-6771. The box office opens an hour before show time, and the house opens 15 minutes before show time. Discount rates for groups are available.

 

The play contains language that is inappropriate for young audiences. “The Opponent” contains some material that may be unsuitable for children under 14 years old. Parental accompaniment is recommended.

 

# # #

 

The African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, part of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, was founded in 1975 to serve as the nesting ground for emerging talent in the performing and visual arts in the heart of Liberty City. By providing quality instruction, inspiration and encouragement to young people within the community, the Center has fulfilled its mission for almost 40 years, and everyday creates a means for youth to discover their artistic talents.

 

 

It is policy of Miami-Dade County to comply with all of the requirements of the Americans with Disability Act. The facility is accessible. To request materials in accessible format and or/accommodation to attend an event at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, please contact Gloria Wilkins at 305-638-6771 or ahcac@miamidade.gov, at least five days in advance to initiate your request. TTY users may also call 711 (Florida Relay Service)

 

The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council develop cultural excellence, diversity and participation throughout Miami-Dade County by strategically creating and promoting opportunities for artists and cultural organizations, and our residents and visitors who are their audiences. The Department directs the Art in Public Places program and serves its board, the Art in Public Places Trust, commissioning, curating, maintaining and promoting the County’s art collection. The Department also manages, programs and operates the Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center (formerly South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center), a campus of state-of-the-art cultural facilities in Cutler Bay, as well as Miami-Dade County Auditorium, Joseph Caleb Auditorium and the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, all dedicated to presenting and supporting excellence in the arts for the entire community. Through staff, board and programmatic resources, the Department, the Council and the Trust promote, coordinate and support Miami-Dade County’s more than 1,000 not-for-profit cultural organizations as well as thousands of resident artists through grants, technical assistance, public information and interactive community planning. The Department receives funding through the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, The Children’s Trust, the National Endowment for the Arts, the State of Florida through the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Other support and services are provided by TicketWeb for the Culture Shock Miami program, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, the South Florida Cultural Consortium and the Tourist Development Council.