First hour: Exploring the themes in the play, "The Niceties," at Geva Theatre Center
Second hour: Governor Andrew Cuomo on updates from the REDI Commission and state funding for 63 shoreline projects
A new play on stage at Geva Theatre Center explores the history and current state of race relations in America through the perspectives of two very different women. “The Niceties” is an explosive and provocative look at the relationship between a white history professor and a driven black student as they discuss who controls the narrative in American history, and how that narrative has shaped their experiences. We sit down with the cast and members of the production team to talk about the play, and the role of discomfort when it comes to examining our own lives and privilege. In studio:
- Mark Cuddy, artistic director of Geva Theatre Center; celebrating 25 seasons
- Cindy De La Cruz, actor who plays Zoe Reed in “The Niceties”
- Jordan Baker, actor who plays Janine Bosko in “The Niceties”
- Nicole A. Watson, director of “The Niceties”
Then in our second hour, we’re joined by Governor Andrew Cuomo, who discusses updates with the REDI Commission. He was in Rochester on Wednesday to announce that the state has awarded $133 million to 63 projects along the Lake Ontario shoreline. That funding will be used to rebuild and revitalize areas that sustained severe damage due to high lake levels. We discuss the impact the Governor hopes that funding will have, and how lake flooding has affected the state’s economy. Our guests:
- Governor Andrew Cuomo
- Randy Gorbman, news director for WXXI News
- Veronica Volk, reporter and producer for WXXI News
- Karen DeWitt, Capitol Bureau chief for WXXI News
