WORD BECOMES FLESH Plays Mesa Arts Center, 3/8-9

The Mesa Arts Center presents Word Becomes Flesh, a show about the thoughts and fears of African American men as they each await the birth of their first child using spoken word, dance and live music. The show runs tonight, March 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 9 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Both shows will be in the Nesbitt Elliott Playhouse. Tickets are available through the Mesa Arts Center Box Office at MesaArtsCenter.com or by calling 480-644-6500.

Word Becomes Flesh's creator Marc Bamuthi Joseph is a brilliant and highly respected creative force who has graced the cover of Smithsonian Magazine and was named one of America's Top Young Innovators in the Arts and Sciences. Word Becomes Flesh is an introspective depiction through music, dance, and spoken word. The show examines the experience of fatherhood in the black community, but it expresses themes, emotions, and issues that are universal.

Through ongoing partnerships, Mesa Arts Center continues to deepen the opportunity for the community to learn about the arts through artist in residence programs. These week to month-long engagements provide schools and communities an extended opportunity to explore, engage and create. Using spoken word, dance and live music, students will explore spoken word and creative movement with teaching artists from The Living Word Project. Residencies in junior and high school settings will develop a living classroom with critical conversation and reflection and students will attend the live theater production.

Word Becomes Flesh takes an honest and real look at the male psyche and the internal and external struggles that exist due to negative perceptions placed by society and the strong need for self-preservation. This intimate examination is done with the fearless performances of five male actors and a musical montage that is commanded by a DJ who uses percussion and synthesized beats to complete the experience. Often dramatic, funny, moving, and heart-breaking, Word Becomes Flesh is an inside look at the human condition.

The Mesa Arts Center, owned and operated by the City of Mesa, is a unique, architecturally stunning facility located in the heart of downtown Mesa. Arizona's largest arts center is home to four theaters, five art galleries, and 14 art studios. Guests, patrons, and students come to Mesa Arts Center to enjoy the finest live entertainment and performances, world-class visual art exhibitions, and outstanding arts education classes. The Mesa Arts Center mission is to inspire people through engaging arts experiences that are diverse, accessible, and relevant. Mesa Arts Center has received numerous awards and accolades including the "2010 Arts Organization of the Year," by the Arts & Business Council of Greater Phoenix; the "2011 Best Venue to See National Acts" Best of Phoenix New Times; "2012 Best Arts Center" Critic's Choice azcentral.com, and most recently "2012 Venue of Excellence" by the International Association of Venue Managers.

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