
TimeLine Theatre, in partnership with the American Vicarious and the Theatre School at DePaul University, presents the Chicago premiere DEBATE: BALDWIN VS BUCKLEY.
Is the American Dream at the expense of the American Negro? On February 17, 1965, this question was the subject of debate between American writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin and American writer and leader of the conservative movement, William F. Buckley, Jr. The event was held by the Cambridge Union Society in the UK and broadcast by the BBC. Baldwin led with the proposition that the American Dream WAS at the expense of the American Negro. Buckley countered this opinion with intellectual fallacy and scholarly gaslighting. Although Baldwin won that historical debate, the conservative movement – sixty years later – continues to ‘win’ at spreading propaganda and fear mongering in an attempt to hold onto their ‘American Dream’ that ‘white rich men are superior and deserve to run the world.’
Has there ever been a better time to revisit a moment in history than after two weeks of gut-punching, human rights chaos by the current Presidential administration?
This very timely production is an immersive performance experience by Adapter and Director Christopher McElroen. The debate is held at DePaul’s Corleyou Commons. Much like the original debate in a scholarly space, the audience flanks the orators on all sides. McEnroe weaves into the experience actual footage of the television broadcast. The grainy, black and white video reinforces the passage of time in technology advancements while also being a devastating reminder that greed continues to rule over the social good.
Under McElroen’s masterful direction, Teagle F. Bougere (Baldwin) and Eric T. Miller (Buckley) are superb. The arguments are delivered verbatim. A charismatic Bougere lays out his evidence with care and determination. He takes his time with effective pauses to underline the facts and build the case. Baldwin is impressive and persuasive, especially with logic understood and accepted by a theatre audience in 2025. Miller’s position is more challenging. His views are the hotbed of topical concerns. This is where the staging is so effective. Miller is right beside me. He is talking directly to an audience member behind me. He points out their smile as empirical evidence of agreement. Miller is convincing as a smooth-talking scammer.
The actual debate lasts about an hour. Upon its conclusion, McElroen stands up and introduces the show’s origin. The concept was derived after the tragic killing of George Floyd. McEnroe, Bougere and Miller are now touring the country to spark opportune discussions. He then facilitates a conversation between the audience and the performers. The guests share reactions to the show and insight into their own beliefs. At my performance, the multiple perspectives were personal, vulnerable, thought-provoking and sometimes cringeworthy.
All and all, DEBATE: BALDWIN VS BUCKLEY revisits history and lessons not learned. It then gives space for people to voice their fears and concerns. It also allows them to reiterate their appreciation for the performers, TimeLine, American Vicarious, DePaul and theatre in general for bringing life and issues needing to be addressed to stage.
Running Time: Ninety minutes with no intermission and includes an audience conversation
At DePaul University’s Corleyou Commons, 2324 N. Fremont
Adapted and directed by Christopher McElroen
Performances are:
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays at 7:30pm
Saturdays at 4pm and 8pm
Sundays at 2pm
Thru March 2
For more information or tickets
Production photos by Brett Beiner Photography
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