Until the Flood

By: Dael Orlandersmith

Narrated by: Dael Orlandersmith

Length: 1 hr and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

Until the Flood is the latest riveting Audible Original theatrical event, written and performed by Pulitzer Prize nominee Dael Orlandersmith (Yellowman, The Gimmick, Beauty’s Daughter).

Inspired by extensive interviews following the 2014 shooting of black teenager Michael Brown by white Police Officer Darren Wilson, Orlandersmith gives equal voice and embodies the many faces of a community haunted by injustice in a country yearning for change.

Until the Flood is a tour de force solo performance that explores the dark forces of American history, race, and politics that exploded in the streets of Ferguson, Missouri, and sent shock waves across the nation. 

The stage production of Until the Flood was commissioned by the Repertory Theatre of St Louis and directed by Neel Keller. Sound design and original music by Justin Ellington. Produced by the Arcola Theatre, London, United Kingdom, in 2019. 

Winner of the Scotsman Fringe First Award and the Stage Edinburgh Award.

Warning: This play includes scenes that some listeners may find upsetting. Strong language is used throughout.

©2020 Dael Orlandersmith (P)2020 Audible, Ltd

Critic Reviews

“An urgent moral inquest.” (The New York Times) 

"Searing and immaculate...superbly performed.” (The Scotsman)

“Until the Flood is never less than absorbing - and frequently illuminating.” (The Independent)

Thought Provoking

I saw Dael Orlandersmith last year at Portland Center Stage in Oregon and the performance was powerful. This time I could totally focus on the listening and that made it for me even more relevant, thought provoking.
Hearing the different people speak and their points of view opens up a dialog. Listing to each other and getting people's stands, will make a difference and create new possibilities.

The interview with Dael Orlandersmith was a real treat. She is an amazing play write and there could be more of her pieces performed on Audible.

powerful

Powerful . Performed in beautiful voices of heart breaking anger that needs to be heard.

Relavent and so well done

I truly felt that zi was transported to a theatre at times, and others to the streets of St. Louis. So relevant at this time of course, and too long becoming so. Kudos the writing and acting. Loved the interview at the end.

Cuts to the heart

In this short series of vignettes, the spectrum of complexity of the moment we are in is captured in the voices, the slices of life. Amazing and tough.

Fabulously written and perfectly performed.

I was completely drawn in to each and every character.

A play (audiobook) about the shooting of Michael Brown is sure to create controversy.

However, anyone who listens to UNTIL THE FLOOD with an open mind will get to see an event and how the exact same event creates different reactions and different feelings from each character.

The choice of having the playwright perform her own work was masterful. She is able to use exactly the intonation she foresaw when creating each character.

This is a MUST LISTEN. I hope to hear more from this talented playwright and performer. 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Easily worth the price.

Thought-provoking and beautifully performed this was a true delight and I would recommend it to anyone.

Wow

I would love to give this the review it deserves but my words don’t feel enough. The words and performance, the pace, were great. A story built with conflicting views, not stereotypical, some surprising. As I listen, the barbers perspective will not be lost on me. Listen more. Thank you.

Amazing!

This was beautifully written and performed a must listen. I felt as though I was part of the story.

Stunning and heart breaking

Incredible performance, of people's different inner turmoils. The level of hatred by some is sad.

A must listen

Beautifully performed and really a must listen. If you’re considering purchasing it it’s absolutely worth three times the price.

Not to be missed

Brilliant work. The personal viewpoints go to the heart of how racist systems still survive.

Loved it!

Beautifully written and performed. I literally stopped everything o was doing to sit and listen and enjoy. The play is a series of different perspectives from various communities in the wake of the Mike Brown shooting. Brilliantly done and very insightful - I felt like o was sitting in front of each of the characters and I learned so much.

A short but good play

This is way out of my comfort zone for reading. I am trying to expand my experiences.

Dael Orlandersmith transforms into all of her own characters within this play. She explores their reactions to the 2014 shooting of black teen Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson.

Really unearths the ugly truths about race in the United States.

Brilliant writing and narration

My daughter recommended this and I'm glad she did ,It says it like it is, shocking at times .The characters came to life and it was like watching it .Absorbing and thought provoking and very relevant today.