THE PROVENANCE OF BEAUTY is a poetic travelogue performed on a bus touring the South Bronx. As we travel the streets of the neighborhood, Rankine's evocative text points out and reflects upon the sites that pass by outside the windows. Views that to an outsider might go by unnoticed - a factory dressed up as townhouses, the theatre where La Lupe held court that is now a church - complicated places that ask what creates a neighborhood in a city in a country in the world.

The audience boards the bus in Spanish Harlem, puts on headphones and for 90 minutes eavesdrops on the voice - both live and recorded - of this historic place.  PROVENANCE is an experience that both responds to and redoubles the landscape - its sites, history, present and future - mapping out a poetic cartography of a neighborhood - of any neighborhood - in its eternal state of evolution. 

Two performances daily: every Sat & Sun from Sept 5 – Oct 25th
(1pm & 4pm)

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS
The bus leaves from & returns to Spanish Harlem (171 E. 121st St. btw. Lexington & 3rd Avenues)*
The performance runs approximately 90 minutes

WRITTEN BY CLAUDIA RANKINE
CREATED BY MELANIE JOSEPH & CLAUDIA RANKINE
DIRECTED BY MELANIE JOSEPH & SHAWN SIDES

With
Sarah Hayon
And recorded performances by
Raul Castillo & Randy Danson

Sound by Geoff Abbas ; Video by Kell Condon
Production Stage Managed by Casey Llewellyn
Bus Driven by Mary Wallace