Parks:
A Portrait Of A Young Artist
By Harrison David Rivers
in collaboration with Robin P. Hickman-Winfield
Directed by Talvin Wilks
March 19–April 10, 2022
1926. Fort Scott, Kansas. Gordon Parks, age 14, left home for St. Paul after the death of his mother. He lived with his sister, until her husband kicked him out of the house and into the streets. While struggling to survive, his mother’s words would echo in his head, “Make a good man of yourself, ‘cause you have a choice. You always have a choice.” Inspired by Parks’s book, A Choice of Weapons, Harrison takes us into the world of young Gordon, who would choose a camera to fight back hatred and discrimination. His passion as an artist would lead him to become a major figure in the American cultural landscape.
Featuring Kevin Brown, Jr. as Gordon Parks & James A. Williams as Pigeon Man
Reviews are out!
- 'Parks' is a biographical musical with a touch of poetry (Star Tribune, 3/22/22)
- Biographical drama keeps its focus on lessons from Gordon Parks' early life (Pioneer Press, 3/21/22)
- 'Parks' shows us the importance of art, as a means of expression, as protest, and as a way out of a dark situation (cherryandspoon.com, 3/22/22)
- 'Parks' worth seeing by anyone interested in how a young man can live through heartbreak, dispossession, discrimination and harrassment without being broken (talkinbroadway.com, 3/22/22)
Learn more about PARKS
- 'Parks' is a snapshot of renowned photographer, visionary who grew up in St. Paul (Pioneer Press, 3/17/22)
- Listen: Celebrating Gordon Parks' legacy through theater (MPR, Minnesota Now, 3/21/22)
- Watch Making a Scene: PARKS - A moving conversation with PARKS playwright Harrison David Rivers and collaborator Robin Hickman-Winfield (great niece of Gordon Parks)
- How does a play humanize an icon? Star Tribune, (3/13/22)
The Cast
Afterthoughts are back: March 20, 27, April 3, 10
Get closer to the story on stage with these lively post-show talkback after every Sunday matinee. Free for ticketed patrons. Topics are subject to change.
March 20
- Special guests: Robin Hickman-Winfield, Parks collaborator and grand niece of Gordon Parks; Talvin Wilks, director; cast of Parks
March 27
- Special guests: Robin Hickman-Winfield, Parks collaborator and grand niece of Gordon Parks; Harrison David Rivers, playwright; Seitu Jones, scenic designer; cast of Parks
April 3
- Special guests: Robin Hickman-Winfield, Parks collaborator and grand niece of Gordon Parks; Harrison David Rivers, playwright; cast of Parks
April 10
- Special guests: Robin Hickman-Winfield, Parks collaborator and grand niece of Gordon Parks; cast of Parks
NEW! A Streaming Option
Stream "Parks" from the comfort of your home April 4-10, 2022.
- Pricing: Single tickets: $25/individual; $40/household BUY TICKETS
- Group rates: $125/groups of 10-30; $175/groups of 31+. Contact Craig Cerrato, Group Sales, 651-292-4320 or email groups@historytheatre.com Note: Prices are per stream and subject to change.
Power, Purpose, Possibilities and Peace Exhibit
Inspired by the life and work of Gordon Parks, this exhibit presents visions written by the student scholars of the Parks Legacy classes at Gordon Park High School in St. Paul.
- Click Here to view the exhibit online.
- Exhibit photographer and designer: Antonio Richardson.
- The exhibit is also on view in lobby of History Theatre during PARKS.
COVID-19 Safety Protocols
Dates and times of History Theatre productions are subject to change in the event of a resurgence of COVID-19 in accordance with state and local restrictions. For latest details regarding our return to live performances at History Theatre, please visit this webpage
- To download History Theatre's COVID-19 safety protocols, please click Covid-19 protocols at History Theatre.pdf