Mpls Play Festival Explores Disabilities

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Mixed Blood Theatre in Minneapolis stages a festival of plays next month examining disabilities.

The "Center of the Margins" festival showcases three plays with themes, central characters and roles for actors with disabilities.

Ken LaZebnik's "On the Spectrum" makes its world premiere at the festival. The love story asks whether autism is a disability or a difference.

Two deaf actresses are paired in a reworking of Pulitzer-nominated Rajiv Joseph's "Gruesome Playground Injuries." The play uses American Sign Language as two women chart their longtime relationship through their scars.

The third play, Cori Thomas' "My Secret Language of Wishes," features an all-woman cast led by singer Jevetta Steele in a drama about unconditional love.

The festival runs Nov. 11-27, with the three plays running in repertory.

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