Tales of an Urban Indian

Spring Theater Special | Faces to Watch

Darrell DennisA RAUCOUS burst of drums, a howling coyote and a whistling flute are the first things the audience hears in “Tales of an Urban Indian.” Then the mystical sounds quiet down, and Darrell Dennis, creator and star of this solo show, adds the punch line: “Now that we got that out of our system, let’s begin.”

Mr. Dennis, hailing from the Shuswap Nation in British Columbia, aims to explode stereotypes in the play, which has returned to the Public Theater after a run at its first annual Native Theater Festival last fall. From the start this semi-autobiographical play about a young actor who moves from a reservation to Vancouver presents a counterpoint to movies like “Dances With Wolves.”Comment:  For more on the subject, see Five Plays at Festival and Native Plays and Other Stage Shows.