The Emperor Jones

Directed by Elizabeth LeCompte, this provocative story of a delusional self-appointed West Indian emperor features Kate Valk reprising her "riveting, haunting, altogether astonishing" (The New York Times) performance of the title role, joined by Ari Fliakos and Scott Shepherd.

The Emperor Jones uses a mix of realism and expressionism to tell the story of Brutus Jones, an African-American former Pullman porter with a checkered past. Having escaped a life sentence in prison for murder, Brutus establishes himself as the "self-appointed emperor" of a West Indian Island. The narrative follows his flight from both the natives he has exploited and his own haunted past.

In conjunction with The Emperor Jones, the Goodman also presents two free special program events: Performing Other, a discussion panel with performance artist Holly Hughes on January 7; and a talk with the Elizabeth LeCompte and members of The Wooster Group on January 10.