Wanda's Picks Radio Show

This special broadcast features: Thomas Cokenias (Wyatt Cooke), Norman Gee (Eban Carter), and Danielle Thys (Emma Cooke), for Dominic Hoffman's "Emmitt & Ava," currently up at the Fireside Theatre and Beverly Hills Playhouse in San Francisco, Friday-Sunday, August 12-14. For tickets visit: www.bhpsanfrancisco.com. Discount tixs at Goldstar.com

The Carter and Cooke families have both experienced recent losses. Eban's son, Emmittt and the Cooke's daughter, Ava, have died. They were in a horrible car accident. The two victims are young, 19 and 20. The Cookes do not know Emmitt; however both Eban and his son, Evan (Eric Reid), know Ava, Emmitt's girlfriend. Both Emmitt and Ava are visual artists, one black, the other white. While race is certainly an element in the work, what is more explored is the nature of grief and loss and how one articulates this when it is still inexplicable. When Eban returns to the Cooke home after their daughter's funeral, he asks a favor. It is this favor that brings into the forefront, hidden prejudices and denial. Excellently portrayed by the cast, we are pleased to invite them to the show this morning to talk about Hoffman's "Emmitt & Ava."