The Nacirema Society
Requests the Honor of Your Presence at a Celebration of Their First One Hundred Years
by PEARL CLEAGE
directed by VALERIE CURTIS-NEWTON
April 19 – May 25, 2025
Wurtele Thrust Stage
A clever Southern comedy
Grande dames Grace Dunbar and Catherine Green prepare for the Nacirema Society’s 1964 centennial cotillion — the event of the season in Montgomery, Alabama. The elegant African American debutantes include Grace’s granddaughter Gracie, escorted by Catherine’s grandson Bobby, and the two grandmothers hope the young couple will soon be engaged. But Gracie and Bobby have other ideas. As the young ladies prepare for their debuts, a blackmail scheme brews behind the scenes and subterfuges unfold, all under the nose of a skeptical reporter covering the ball. Featuring clever storytelling and scandalous plots, this lighthearted comedy winds its way to an ending as charming as its characters.
Three things to know
- With vivid Southern characters and plot mechanics as complex as Shakespeare’s comedies, The Nacirema Society brings the audience along as secrets and plots unfold.
- The play’s humor is built on the construction — and inevitable collapse — of its clever house of cards, resolving into a charming and deeply satisfying ending.
- Pearl Cleage is an award-winning, Atlanta-based writer whose plays include Blues for an Alabama Sky, which captivated Guthrie audiences during our 2022–2023 Season.
Venue info
This production will take place on the Wurtele Thrust Stage.
Pro tip: Can't do stairs or have a special seating request? Call the Box Office for details.
Ticket prices
Ticket prices range from $29 to $85.
| Area 1A | Area 1 | Area 2 | Area 3 | Area 4 | |
| All previews (April 19–23) | $69.00 | $58.00 | $42.00 | $34.00 | $29.00 |
| Tues, Wed evenings; weekday matinees | $73.00 | $62.00 | $46.00 | $38.00 | $33.00 |
| Sun, Thu evenings, Opening Nights | $77.00 | $66.00 | $50.00 | $42.00 | $37.00 |
| Fri evenings, Sat, Sun matinees | $81.00 | $70.00 | $54.00 | $46.00 | $41.00 |
| Saturday evenings | $85.00 | $74.00 | $58.00 | $50.00 | $45.00 |
Group sales
All student and adult groups of 15 or more qualify for discounts on tickets to Guthrie productions.
Age recommendation
We recommend this production for ages 12 and up.
Accessibility
ASL-interpreted, audio-described and open-captioned performances are available on select dates.
The Nacirema Society
Wurtele Thrust
Accessibility
Post-play discussions
Patrons are invited to stay in the theater following select performances for a 20-minute conversation about the production facilitated by Guthrie staff. Cast members may join the discussion as they are able. Post-play discussions are supported by Fredrikson.
Patrons are invited to stay in the theater following select performances for a 20-minute conversation about the production facilitated by Guthrie staff. Cast members may join the discussion as they are able. Post-play discussions are supported by Fredrikson.
Sunday, April 27 at 1 p.m.
Wednesday, April 30 at 1 p.m.
Sunday, May 4 at 1 p.m.
Tuesday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 17 at 1 p.m.
BIPOC Community Night
5:30 p.m.
Join us for a night of networking with fellow BIPOC professionals and community members. The evening includes a pre-show reception with complimentary sips and bites, plus a ticket to the 7:30 p.m. performance of The Nacirema Society. Tickets start at $20 (handling fees apply). To purchase, use promo code “BIPOC” or call the Box Office at 612.377.2224.
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The Nacirema Society
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