Functional: The Thelonious Monk Story

This full-length play presented by A Call to Conscience honors the musical genius of pianist and jazz composer Thelonious Sphere Monk and tackles the issues of mental illness as it relates to disparities in healthcare, police interaction, education, and social acceptance. This performance also recognizes the importance of creative self-expression through the arts and celebrate how Monk stood firm to pursue his music without compromise. Written by Mariah L. Richardson and directed by Fannie Belle Lebby, Functional: The Thelonious Monk Story stars Phillip “Dr. Philgood” Graves. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to start time. The play runs approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes with a brief intermission. Following the April 22 performance, the National Alliance for Mental Illness in St. Louis (NAMI–St. Louis) will facilitate a discussion on living with and overcoming the challenges posed by mental illness. Please note that Saturday, April 22 is the annual Earth Day Festival nearby in Forest Park. Please allow yourself extra time to park. To avoid road closures and traffic, we encourage entering the park at the Lindell-Debaliviere intersection.