Killadelphia: Mixtape of a City

Sean Christopher Lewis entered into Graterford Prison in Philadelphia to write a play about “lifer” inmates who were part of a city beautification project – painting murals around town. What he created with his play is a mural of the city of Philadelphia.

Killadelphia: Mixtape of a City tells the tragic story of life in Philadelphia, where the catastrophic murder toll has earned the city the gruesome nickname. Within about the first five minutes of Killadelphia, the audience is introduced to five very different characters – and they’re all played by Lewis. From murderers to the mayor, pundits to victims, Lewis creates compelling characters who will leave audiences questioning their own crime convictions.

Early in the show, one of the prisoner’s tells Lewis to be sure to write some “deep shit,” and goes on explain that outside of prison there are two very different worlds, which none of us notice until they criss-cross and collide. “Them two world’s, when they collide, that’s some real deep shit man.”

Killadelphia, telling the story of people from both worlds, comparing felons to victims, creating sympathy for murderers and building disdain for the justice system, is definitely some “deep shit.”

The Artistic Director, Matt Slaybaugh, has been touring the show nationally and is bringing it to Columbus and Available Light Theatre. He said the show has undergone drastic rewrites after almost every performance. One of the biggest changes has been in Lewis’ own character, who transitions between the interviews and other characters seamlessly. Slaybaugh described Lewis’ dramatic purpose – and said a lot about the show at the same time: “Sean thought he was gonna change the world by making a play, but by the end he realized that was a stupid idea.”

The show is presented by Available Light Theatre at Junctionview in Grandview September 24-27. As with all Available Light shows, tickets are pay what you want – however, seating is extremely limited so reservations for $20 are encouraged and can be made here. There will be talkbacks with Slaybaugh and Lewis Thursday and after the later performances on Friday and Saturday.

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