‘Two Men Talking’: the healing power of stories

NARROWSBURG, NY — Performers Paul Browde and Murray Nossel will present their acclaimed two-man show, “Two Men Talking,” at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 6. The show kicks off the Tusten Theatre’s fall season of music, theatre, dance and performance art.

In 1974, in Johannesburg, South Africa, a teacher asked two 12-year-old schoolboys to tell each other a story. Murray Nossel and Paul Browde were the children in that exercise. Three decades later, Murray, an Academy Award–nominated filmmaker, and Paul, a psychiatrist, are partners in “Two Men Talking,” a performance that demonstrates the healing power of stories.

The piece is about friendship and listening. It is about apology and forgiveness and hatred and love. It is about fear and death and courage and life. With startling honesty, Paul and Murray talk of growing up white, middle class and privileged under apartheid. Their tale takes us from Johannesburg to New York and London, through their experiences of career struggles, coming out as gay, confronting AIDS and finally their reunion in America.

Since a period of development work at the Young Vic in London in 2002, “Two Men Talking” has been performed in many locations, including London, San Francisco, Atlanta and in their native South Africa. It was most recently performed in New York City’s Barrow Street Theatre from March to May of 2008.

Tickets cost $15 (Delaware Valley Arts Alliance members get $2 off on advanced sales) and may be purchased by calling 845/252-7272.

For more information visit ArtsAllianceSite.org .