Events

Paivapo ’76, a new musical by Tanaka Dunbar Ngwara

Event Overview

Location

Wallace Theater, Lewis Arts complex

Admission

Free tickets required

In the premiere of this new musical written by Princeton senior Tanaka Dunbar Ngwara, Mirirai’s childhood best friend, Chamai, returns home in 1976 from boarding school abroad to find Domboshava much changed by the last few years of the Zimbabwean Liberation War. While hiding in the forest during a raid on the village, it becomes clear that Mirirai’s spiritual beliefs clash with Chamai’s newfound view of the world. When he disregards important traditions and disappears at a sacred water site, Mirirai has to rally the community to perform the correct rituals to appease the spirits and win him back. This show is an exploration of the effects of the demonization and erasure of traditional practice during colonial rule in Zimbabwe, exploring themes of spirituality, community, first love and grief. Directed by senior Sabina Jafri with Tanaka Dunbar Ngwara also serving as music director, costume designer, and dramaturg.

Cosponsored by Princeton’s Department of Music.

View the show playbill

Photo Gallery

A group of Black actors on a stage gather on a set that looks like a living room around a small table and a suitcase

Photo by Ron Wyatt

An actor looks out to an audience and sings

Photo by Ron Wyatt

Two younger actors wearing matching v-neck sweaters and ties look happy as 2 actors who appear older stand behind them

Photo by Ron Wyatt

A group of actors look intently and lean in to an older looking actor who stands on a step above them

Photo by Ron Wyatt

An actor in dramatic light sings

Photo by Ron Wyatt

Two very happy actors rush to embrace

Photo by Ron Wyatt

Three actors who appear older sit on chairs and talk with each other on stage

Photo by Ron Wyatt

Three actors embrace on a step as a fourth actor looking more distant sits farther back

Photo by Ron Wyatt

An actor sweeps a floor on a stage set up like a living room

Photo by Ron Wyatt

One actor sits on their knees and looks up at another actor speaking and holding a cane to balance himself

Photo by Ron Wyatt

An actor lit by a spotlight peaks to a group of actors sitting and standing on the stage below him

Photo by Ron Wyatt

A young looking actor stand in the center of a small group of other performers kneeling and looking up at her

Photo by Ron Wyatt

Actors stand and smile and look happy to see one another

Photo by Ron Wyatt

Two actors in a spotlight have a serious conversation as other sit on the stage floor looking the other way

Photo by Ron Wyatt

An actor is being carried off as other actors look on from a distance.

Photo by Ron Wyatt

An actor stands in the center of a circle of other actors sitting on the floor doing hand gestures.

Photo by Ron Wyatt

Tickets & Details

Performances are free and open to the public; tickets required.

Get free tickets through University Ticketing

Directions

Get directions to the Wallace Theater, located on the Forum level of the Lewis Arts complex.

Accessibility

symbol for wheelchair accessibilityaccess symbol for amplified sound or assistive hearing devicesaccess symbol for open captioning, two white O C lettersThe Wallace Theater is an accessible venue with an assistive listening system. The May 5 performance will feature open/live captioning (CART). Both stage and mezzanine levels of the theater are wheelchair-accessible, and up to 5 ADA seating positions are available in all configurations. Visit our Venues and Studios section for accessibility information at our various locations, including Berlind Theatre. Attendees in need of other access accommodations are invited to contact the Lewis Center at 609-258-5262 or email LewisCenter@princeton.edu at least one week in advance of the event date.

Presented By

  • Program in Theater
  • Department of Music

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