Poet, actor, and playwright Liza Jessie Peterson is bringing her one-woman play “The Peculiar Patriot” to Baltimore Center Stage. The Philly native believes it’s the right place and the right time for this story. 

“There’s an energy here that just feels familiar, like home,” Peterson said. “I love bringing this piece here because I know that it’s a Black Mecca. The play speaks to our people in a real way. I’m excited to see how Baltimore is going to receive it.” 

“The Peculiar Patriot” taps into the deep humanity that exists within the confines of mass incarceration. In it, Peterson portrays Betsy Laquanda Ross, who regularly visits  her incarcerated best friend Joanne. The play takes place over a series of wild conversations between the women. Ross keeps her friend updated about what’s happening in the neighborhood, her own life, and in the outside world. The play is inspired by the 20 years Peterson spent working with teens at New York’s notorious Rikers Island. 

At Rikers, Peterson served as a poetry and GED teacher, program counselor, and re-entry specialist. Her time at Rikers not only taught her about the evils of the prison industrial complex, and the great capacity all people have for change — but it served as a creative catalyst. Out of it came a memoir, “All Day,” which Peterson published in 2017. She also wrote monologues that later evolved into this play.

Peterson originally intended to debut the play off-Broadway, but like many Black artists who dare to aim mirrors at the terrors that society has to offer, Peterson was rejected. However, she was not defeated. 

“The Peculiar Patriot” found a receptive audience behind the wall, and was performed in over 30 prisons across the country. 

Peterson’s performance at Angola prison, known formally as the Louisiana State Penitentiary, was so powerful that it caused the authorities to shut down the show midway through. Inmates cheered, rallied, and cried as Peterson’s words allowed them to feel seen. Stopping the play didn’t stop her mission, and word quickly spread about its message throughout the jail. The brothers begin calling their family members at home, and demanding that they vote an alleged racist incumbent out of office. They did. Peterson’s play ignited a revolution. 

Theater houses could no longer ignore her. Peterson’s time had arrived. Peterson went on to perform “The Peculiar Patriot”  at Washington, D.C.’s Woolly Mammoth Theatre and host of other venues throughout the country. 

The play got another big boost from Emmy award-winning producer Lena Waithe. Waithe is best known for the Showtime drama “The Chi.”

“Lena is a real one,” Peterson said. “She saw a clip of me teaching at Rikers on Instagram, and reshared the clip.” 

Waithe was not only moved by Peterson’s passion but felt the need to continue the conversation. 

“I was blown away by her poem and her delivery,” Waithe said.

“I was blown away by the image of her working with students and how she encouraged them to speak kindly about themselves and she was full of so much love and light.” Waithe continued, “I shared it in my stories as well – and my folks were also inspired to share.” 

Peterson doesn’t check social media every day, so she was surprised to log on to thousands of brand-new followers and people inquiring about her work. With gratitude she reached out to Waith, to offer thanks and the two began masterminding the ways in which they will continue to showcase “The Peculiar Patriot.” 

“Theater has always been a place where freedom fighters dwell. Lorraine Hansberry [Playwright of A Raisin in the Sun]  has always been a hero and an inspiration. Her play still lives on and continues to minister to us in these times,” Waith said. “We are all welcome in the theater — even though at times it seems as if it’s only a pastime for the elite, it should be accessible and affordable for all. It’s the best way to tell stories.”

Baltimore Center Stage Artistic Director Stevie Walker-Webb had previously discussed “The Peculiar Patriot” with Peterson while it was touring. He had also been in talks with Waithe about the possibility that she could make her playwriting debut at Baltimore Center Stage. As Waithe prepared to take on Baltimore, she discovered Peterson’s work for herself online and thought, “This work needs to be at Center Stage.” The show opened on October 18 and will run through November 9. Tickets are still on sale at baltimorecenterstage.org.

This post was originally published on The Real News Network.