Live/Reserved Seating
Priority Seating: $25
General Seating: $15
In this special collaboration, Harlem Stage, National Jazz Museum in Harlem, and Maysles Documentary Center present dramatized readings of Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man, as part of a yearlong celebration of the 70th anniversary of the publication of Ellison’s seminal novel, and an unprecedented partnership among six Harlem arts organizations, also including The Studio Museum in Harlem, The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and the Ralph Ellison Memorial Committee. The evening will highlight selected excerpts from the work, read by award-winning actors, including Stephanie Berry, Ty Jones, and Carl Hancock Rux. Throughout the program, a curated selection of recordings from Ralph Ellison’s personal record collection will be played. This will surround and set the tone to honor and revisit this quintessential work of American literature.
The U.S. National Book Award for Fiction recipient in 1953, Ellison’s Invisible Man served as a vital social commentary. Expanding on the social and intellectual hardships African Americans faced during the early 1900s, the overarching theme of the novel centers around self-identity, expression, and individuality as an African American. Time Magazine included the novel in its 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005 list, calling it "the quintessential American picaresque of the 20th century."
Enjoy a FREE copy of Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man with your ticket purchase!
This program is supported, in part, by Penguin Random House and public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
BEFORE YOU PURCHASE YOUR TICKET, know that you must show proof of full Covid-19 vaccination having completed the vaccination series at least 14 days prior to the performance date. Masks are required. We will continue to update our safety protocols to remain in line with CDC guidelines. Learn more about our safety protocols.
At Harlem Stage, we take pride in presenting a diverse selection of performances by Black Artists from across the world, right in the heart of New York. Stay informed about our upcoming live and digital shows by subscribing to our weekly newsletter.
Photograph by Gordon Parks.
Courtesy of and copyright The Gordon Parks Foundation.
Digital Photo of Elizabeth Catlet’s Invisible Man monument in Harlem