A Lawrence playwright aspires for her original script to empower action this Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“My hope is that what comes from the heart touches the heart,” Rita Rials said. “Whatever you need from that moment — from what you see, what you hear — you take that away with you.”
An original stage play written and directed by Rita, “The Steps of a Good Man” tells the story of an elderly Black man who is a rock in his community. He pours out his lived experiences and lessons learned as he sits on his front porch steps among family, friends and neighbors.
Rita, the cast and crew are in their final stretch ahead of the show, staged in partnership between Life Restoration Ministries (LRM) Foundation Theatre and the Lied Center. LRM Foundation was founded in 2007 by Rita’s sister Nicole Rials, who’s a Lawrence therapist.
Although it’s not a musical production, songs are incorporated because “music has that ability to deepen the message,” Nicole said.
Rita Rials
Nicole RialsHaving lived through the Civil Rights movement, the man shares his highs, lows and in-betweens. Characters from several generations listen in, finding connections.
“That component of bridging generations is heavily themed,” Nicole said.
Similarly, Rita and Nicole’s vision for LRM Foundation Theatre is built on bridging gaps in Lawrence.
“One of the ways we want to diversify is just by showcasing original work,” Nicole said, “and working with people in the community, regardless of their scope or their experience in the theatre, and really addressing very specific issues and how they are relevant to our community.”
Alongside several local actors and community leaders, Nicole is set to participate in the production as a vocalist. Cast members include Kimberly Allen, Victoria Barbee, Beth Chambers, Eric Galbreath, Azia Gambrell, Anthony Lewis, Rakeisha Pringle and Delmar White.
Lewis, superintendent of the Lawrence school district, is stepping onstage for his first time. He discussed his involvement in a promotional video on LRM Foundation’s Facebook page.
“The Steps of a Good Man” will be LRM Foundation’s fourth production in partnership with the Lied Center. In January last year, they hosted another of Rita’s original plays, “Dare to Dream,” in honor of MLK Jr.
A 2023 Phoenix Award recipient for her contributions to Lawrence arts, Rita said she writes so audience members can see themselves and their communities represented.
“The inspiration for all of my writing always comes from everyday life — victories, accomplishments, failures that normal everyday people go through and experience,” Rita said.
“The Steps of a Good Man” premieres at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 at the Lied Center, 1600 Stewart Drive in Lawrence.
Tickets cost $15 for youth and $25 for adults and can be purchased at ticketweb.lss.ku.edu, via the Lied Center’s website. There is an additional $5 fee to purchase online. Tickets can also be purchased in person through the Lied Center’s ticket office, open from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays or by calling 785-864-2787.
Visit LRM Foundation Theatre’s Facebook page for posts with each cast member’s biography.
Learn more about the production on its Facebook event page, or on the Lied Center’s website, lied.ku.edu.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
Note: Two cutlines in this post have been corrected.
