By Thompson Perry

This week, the University of Louisville African American Theatre Program will take its final bow of the spring semester with performances of the play, “The Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God.”

Deana Thomas, director of the African American Theatre Program in the Theatre Arts Department, believes that the performance will leave those in attendance hungry for an encore.

“Audiences will be surprised how this fast-paced drama may make them laugh and cry almost in the same moments,” said Thomas.

Behind the play’s director, Djanet Sears, the performance tells the story of Rainey Baldwin-Johnson, a country doctor struggling to come to terms with the grief and guilt stemming from the loss of her daughter.

In addition to this emotional struggle, she also finds difficulty in understanding and improving her relationship with her own terminally ill father.

With her entire world in limbo, Rainey begins a journey towards spiritual salvation and enlightenment.

Though it isn’t a light-hearted play by any definition, the story runs the gamut of emotions, as Thomas suggested and will look to balance humor and tragedy.

“Reverent and joyful music mixed with dance help us tell the story,” said Thomas.

“It sounds like a really smart and powerful story,” said junior communication major Chris Prentice. “I’m definitely interested to see how the performance turns out, but it sounds to me like this could be a very interesting and very thought-provoking play.”

“Thought-provoking” seems a very apt description of the story the theatre program will tell this week with this performance.

“Sometimes in our focus on what we have lost, we lose sight on what we have,” Thomas said. “Rainey’s reality is complicated but she finds a way out of her pain to rediscover her faith.”

“The Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God” will be performed April 16-20 at 8 p.m. nightly at the Playhouse at Third St. and Cardinal Blvd. In addition to these performances, there will be a 3 p.m. Sunday matinee on April 20.

Ticket prices are $12 for the general public, $8 for senior citizens and students alike. Call the box office at 502-852-6814 for reservations or group ticket prices.

Go online to www.louisvillecardinal.com for more photos of the play.