James Ijames' New Play 'Good Bones' Exposes the Dark Underbelly of Gentrification Through the Lens of Philly's Arena Saga.
A poignant and thought-provoking new play by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright James Ijames is currently being performed at Arden Theatre Co. in Philadelphia, tackling themes of gentrification, community preservation, and the consequences of urban renewal on a local level. The show draws parallels between the contentious saga surrounding the proposed Sixers arena in Chinatown and the earlier defeated proposal for Temple University football stadium in North Philly.
At its core, 'Good Bones' is an allegory that delves deeper than just asking whether or not to build a sports complex in a poor Black community. Rather, it probes into the personal cost of such decisions and forces audiences to confront their own biases. The play revolves around Aisha, a young woman who returns to her impoverished neighborhood as a successful adult to help developers secure support for the stadium plan.
As director Akeem Davis notes, "Great plays make us ask questions of ourselves." By humanizing characters like Aisha and Earl, a local contractor opposing the stadium, Ijames sheds light on the complex emotions and motivations at play in debates about gentrification. The dynamic between these two characters is particularly striking, with each presenting compelling arguments that highlight the tension between development and community preservation.
South Philly native Walter DeShields, who co-stars as Earl, echoes this sentiment. "I wouldn't call Aisha necessarily pro-development, and in a few ways, I wouldn't say that Earl is anti-development... But they both make cogent, salient arguments." He emphasizes the need for nuanced discussions about gentrification, acknowledging that neither side is inherently right or wrong.
The play also serves as a commentary on corporate interests and their influence over community welfare. Davis, who has observed this phenomenon firsthand in his own work with local artists and activists, notes that "good drama is personal cost." By exploring the human impact of decisions made by powerful entities, 'Good Bones' encourages audiences to consider the consequences of prioritizing economic growth over community needs.
For Ijames, gentrification is not just a pressing issue but also a deeply personal one. The playwright has become a fixture in Philadelphia's theater community over the past two decades and remains committed to exploring themes that resonate with his adopted city.
As DeShields astutely observes, "I think what James might be saying in his writing is, 'Ya'll both right.' Or, 'Y'all both not wrong.'" By presenting multiple perspectives on a complex issue, Ijames invites audiences to question their assumptions and consider the intricacies of gentrification. Ultimately, 'Good Bones' asks us to confront our own biases and imagine a future that prioritizes community welfare alongside economic growth.
Through its thought-provoking exploration of gentrification and urban renewal, 'Good Bones' has become a timely and important addition to Philadelphia's theater scene, encouraging audiences to engage with the complexities of this pressing issue.
A poignant and thought-provoking new play by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright James Ijames is currently being performed at Arden Theatre Co. in Philadelphia, tackling themes of gentrification, community preservation, and the consequences of urban renewal on a local level. The show draws parallels between the contentious saga surrounding the proposed Sixers arena in Chinatown and the earlier defeated proposal for Temple University football stadium in North Philly.
At its core, 'Good Bones' is an allegory that delves deeper than just asking whether or not to build a sports complex in a poor Black community. Rather, it probes into the personal cost of such decisions and forces audiences to confront their own biases. The play revolves around Aisha, a young woman who returns to her impoverished neighborhood as a successful adult to help developers secure support for the stadium plan.
As director Akeem Davis notes, "Great plays make us ask questions of ourselves." By humanizing characters like Aisha and Earl, a local contractor opposing the stadium, Ijames sheds light on the complex emotions and motivations at play in debates about gentrification. The dynamic between these two characters is particularly striking, with each presenting compelling arguments that highlight the tension between development and community preservation.
South Philly native Walter DeShields, who co-stars as Earl, echoes this sentiment. "I wouldn't call Aisha necessarily pro-development, and in a few ways, I wouldn't say that Earl is anti-development... But they both make cogent, salient arguments." He emphasizes the need for nuanced discussions about gentrification, acknowledging that neither side is inherently right or wrong.
The play also serves as a commentary on corporate interests and their influence over community welfare. Davis, who has observed this phenomenon firsthand in his own work with local artists and activists, notes that "good drama is personal cost." By exploring the human impact of decisions made by powerful entities, 'Good Bones' encourages audiences to consider the consequences of prioritizing economic growth over community needs.
For Ijames, gentrification is not just a pressing issue but also a deeply personal one. The playwright has become a fixture in Philadelphia's theater community over the past two decades and remains committed to exploring themes that resonate with his adopted city.
As DeShields astutely observes, "I think what James might be saying in his writing is, 'Ya'll both right.' Or, 'Y'all both not wrong.'" By presenting multiple perspectives on a complex issue, Ijames invites audiences to question their assumptions and consider the intricacies of gentrification. Ultimately, 'Good Bones' asks us to confront our own biases and imagine a future that prioritizes community welfare alongside economic growth.
Through its thought-provoking exploration of gentrification and urban renewal, 'Good Bones' has become a timely and important addition to Philadelphia's theater scene, encouraging audiences to engage with the complexities of this pressing issue.
. It really hits you in the feels when it talks about how gentrification affects communities. Like, I get that cities need development and all that but when you're talking about displacing people's homes and businesses... it's just not right 
. And what's wild is how nuanced the play is - like, no one's inherently 'good' or 'bad', they're all just trying to do what they think is best for their community 
. I love how the playwright humanizes these characters instead of just making them caricatures, it makes you see the complexity of the issue and want to have a real conversation about it 
. Anyway, if you haven't seen this play yet, add it to your watchlist ASAP 
Is gentrification really just about rich people moving into old neighborhoods? I mean, my grandma used to live in a neighborhood that was super poor, but then rich people moved in and it changed so much. But did they have to push out the old folks to make way for their fancy condos? 
I don't know, maybe I'm just not getting it... 
The play seemed really thought-provoking, though. One of the characters said that both sides of the argument can be right, which made me think about how we always try to fit things into two boxes. What if gentrification isn't just a simple yes or no question? 
. The way the play presents multiple perspectives on gentrification feels so refreshingly honest 
. I mean, don't get me wrong, it sounds like a really thought-provoking exploration of gentrification, but isn't it just another example of 'artist's vision' trying to dictate how we should think about complex social issues? 
It feels like Ijames is more interested in stirring up controversy than actually providing a solution. And what's with all the 'personal cost' nonsense? Can't he just get on with making a compelling narrative instead of trying to guilt trip us into feeling something? 
The whole thing feels like it's just scratching the surface of an already deeply complex issue. Let's not forget, we're still living in a city where corporate interests are more powerful than community needs 
. i mean, who gets to decide what's best for a neighborhood, right? shouldn't it be the people living there? 
. and i love how the play presents multiple perspectives on this issue, it's not just about "pro" or "anti", it's about understanding where ppl are coming from 
By centering the characters' experiences and emotions, Ijames is forcing us to confront our own biases and preconceptions about gentrification. It's a powerful reminder that there are no easy answers, only messy, human ones. 
. Anyway, I loved how the play humanized both sides of the debate - it's not just a simple "good" vs "bad" thing. It feels like the playwright is saying that gentrification isn't a clear-cut issue and we need to consider all the factors before making a decision.
also, whats the real deal with this arena saga? are we just being fed a narrative or is it really that complex? 
i mean, have you ever had to watch your neighborhood change around you while also trying to make ends meet? it's like, u can feel the gentrification vibes but it's not all black and white 
there are people on both sides of the issue who just want what's best for their community. i think james ijames is doing an amazing job of bringing that nuance to light 
It's like he's speaking straight to my soul about gentrification in Philly. I mean, have you guys seen how hard it is to find a decent slice of pizza or a spot to chill in South Philly without breaking the bank? It's like the city is being slowly drained of its soul. 
Can't wait to see the play!