A Reading and Performance by Mfoniso Udofia at The Church - 27 East

Arts & Living

Arts & Living / 2033507

A Reading and Performance by Mfoniso Udofia at The Church

icon 1 Photo
Mfoniso Udofia DANIEL VASQUEZ

Mfoniso Udofia DANIEL VASQUEZ

authorStaff Writer on Sep 26, 2022

On Saturday, October 8, from 5 to 7 p.m., The Church in Sag Harbor welcomes acclaimed storyteller and educator Mfoniso Udofia who will read and perform excerpts from several of the plays in her nine-play cycle, “The Ufot Family Cycle,” which envisions the immigrant experience of a singular Nigerian family from their arrival in America in 1968 through 2051.

To date, Udofia has completed seven plays in the cycle, “The Grove,” “Sojourners,” “Runboyrun,” “Her Portmanteau,” “In Old Age,” “Adia” and “Clora Snatch Joy,” and “Lifted.” Each play is fueled by a question that the characters within the story face. Apart from “Lifted,” all the plays take place on American soil. These plays tell the story of an immigrant “becoming” in a new land and present a truly Nigerian-American folkloric. Since the plays in this cycle vary in style/genre — kitchen-sink play, Greek play, ultra-realism, musical, memory-play — Udofia’s reading will be a rich blending of acting, reading and song. The evening will include insights into Udofia’s creative process, the history involved, and her own background.

“Ultimately, my work seeks to locate a people, a culture and community that has been rendered invisible,” Udofia said. “So many of the plays we experience on our stages focus on Africans on the continent but ... we are here. We are part of the American fabric. You can find us in New York City toiling away at a 9 to 5 job. Or in rural Massachusetts tending an acre of land and trying to mold the ‘American Dream’ to fit us.”

Tickets are $20 and $40. A wine and cheese reception will be offered to $40 ticket holders, allowing guests the opportunity to converse with Mfoniso Udofia following her performance. The Church is located at 48 Madison Street, Sag Harbor. For more information, thechurchsagharbor.org.

You May Also Like:

Springs Artist Fitzhugh Karol Debuts Outdoor Sculpture Show at Duck Creek

The Arts Center at Duck Creek will present “Fitzhugh Karol: On the Grounds,” a site-specific ... 8 Jul 2025 by Staff Writer

La Goulue Sur Mer Arrives in Southampton, With a Dash of Chaos and a Side of Style

“Is it true?” said the anxious DM on my Instagram account. “Is La Goulue really ... by Steven Stolman

Art on a Line: Guild Hall’s Clothesline Sale Hangs Tough for 2025

Guild Hall’s beloved Clothesline Art Sale returns on Saturday, July 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The annual event, a Hamptons tradition since 1946, transforms the museum’s lawn into a sea of original artwork — hung on clotheslines — and offers visitors the chance to purchase local art at accessible prices. Jackson Pollock once sold a painting at the sale for $250, and past participants have included Lee Krasner, Alfonso Ossorio, Elaine and Willem de Kooning and other art-world icons. The event continues to offer a rare opportunity for the public to view and purchase work by East End ... by Staff Writer

The Climate-Friendly Fitness Routine

“Live simply so that others might simply live” — Mahatma Gandhi The first time I ... by Jenny Noble

Joy Behar Gets the Last Laugh in ‘My First Ex-Husband' at Bay Street Theater, July 14-19

Emmy Award-winning comedian and co-host of “The View,” Joy Behar stars in “My First Ex-Husband,” a bold, funny and heartfelt new play based on true stories from her life. The limited engagement runs July 14 through 19, at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor. With razor-sharp wit and no filters, “My First Ex-Husband” explores the messy, hilarious truths of love, sex and relationships. Adapted from Behar’s personal experiences, the show is both deeply personal and widely relatable. Behar will appear on stage on July 14, 18 and 19. Also appearing nightly, July 14 through 19, are Veanne Cox, a Tony-nominated ... by Staff Writer

Experience the Rhythms of Brazil With Nilson Matta’s Voyage Quartet

Grammy-nominated bassist Nilson Matta will lead his Brazilian Voyage Quartet at The Church on Friday, July 25, at 6 p.m. The concert is part of Hamptons JazzFest. The group features acclaimed guitarist Chico Pinheiro and offers a rich exploration of samba, bossa nova and modern Brazilian jazz. Matta, a founding member of the renowned Trio da Paz and longtime collaborator with Yo-Yo Ma on the Grammy-winning “Obrigado Brazil” project, is known for blending traditional Brazilian rhythms with contemporary jazz. His lyrical bass playing and deep rhythmic connection have earned him international acclaim. Guitarist Chico Pinheiro, recognized as a leading voice ... by Staff Writer

At the Galleries for July 10, 2025

Montauk The Depot Art Gallery, at the Montauk railroad station at the corner of Flamingo ... by Staff Writer

Round and About for July 10, 2025

Fireworks Shelter Island Fireworks The Shelter Island fireworks will be held on Saturday, July 12, ... by Staff Writer

Curtis Institute of Music Alumni and Faculty To Perform in East Hampton on July 22

Talented alumni and faculty from the world-renowned Curtis Institute of Music will tour the East Coast this summer, with a concert scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton. The event is presented by Music for Montauk. The program features beloved melodies ranging from Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” to works by Brahms and de Falla. Performers include mezzo-soprano Katie Trigg, violinist Elissa Lee Koljonen, pianist Hanchien Lee, and Curtis Institute President and violist Roberto Díaz. The concert program includes: Manuel de Falla’s “Suite Populaire Espagnole,” performed by Díaz (viola) and Lee (piano); ... by Staff Writer

'Bonnie & Clyde' Cast and Crew Announced for Bay Street Musical

Bay Street Theater has unveiled the complete cast and creative teams for its pulse-pounding musical ... 7 Jul 2025 by Staff Writer