True Grit

Here’s the true measure of the epochal awfulness of the present administration: There’s so much shit flying these days that most folks hardly remember that President Bush actually lost a major U.S. city. The survivors of Katrina do, and thankfully enough writers and artists are turning to the subject and daring to turn that real-world hurt into real-world hope. Louisiana-born playwright Judi Ann Mason dramatizes a number of Gulf Coasters’ true flood stories in her play Storm Stories, which premieres at 8 p.m. at Just Off Broadway Theatre (3051 Central). Mason shares the writing credit for this tough-minded night of monologues with her brother, actor B.J. Mason. Tragically, her brother died in Shreveport in 2005, but she has incorporated many of his writings, e-mails and ideas into the finished play. The show is directed by Jacqueline L. Gafford, who understands how art and politics coalesce in life. For tickets, call 816-235-6222.

Fri., June 6, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 7, 8 p.m.; Sun., June 8, 3 p.m.; Mon., June 9, 8 p.m.; Thu., June 12, 8 p.m.; Fri., June 13, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 14, 8 p.m., 2008