Tacoma Art Museum visitors in the fall of 2007 were rewarded with an exhibit of the quilts of Gee's Bend. Their bold geometric patterns, simultaneously traditional and boldly modernist, have become iconic.

The quilts and the women who made them inspired a play that's having its regional premiere Friday at 8 p.m. at Seattle's Taproot Theater.

Sponsored in part by TAM, Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder’s "Gee’s Bend" runs through February 28. A Pay-What-You-Can performance is February 4. Check their website or call for the ticket numbers for dates and times.

Here's more information from Taproot:

The play speaks to the courage and hope of people who’ve fought for equality in times of segregation, and those who’ve persevered through economic difficulties. During the time the play is set, the people of Gee’s Bend are so poor they reuse scraps of fabric to create quilts and put newspaper on their walls to keep out the drafts. The main character, Sadie, is inspired when she encounters Martin Luther King, Jr., and is determined to take a stand for equality, no matter the cost.

Post-play discussions with the Pacific Northwest African American Quilters - Wednesdays after the show (February 4, 11 & 25)*. Representatives from the Pacific Northwest African American Quilters will be at Wednesday post-play discussions to give a Northwest perspective on quiltmaking among African Americans. Members of PNAAQ have built a quilt that will be seen at Taproot Theatre, and the association is also providing several other quilts to be displayed and auctioned off during the run of Gee's Bend.

A special appearance by the women of Gee’s Bend, Alabama
Post-play discussion on February 18*
Thanks to the Tacoma Art Museum for their generous support, which is providing the resources for them to be here.

*Ticketholders for any Gee's Bend performance may attend these post-play discussions. Simply bring your ticket as proof to be admitted.

Taproot Theatre is at 204 N. 85th St. in Seattle.

TICKETS: Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday matinees, $26-28; Friday and Saturday evenings, $30-33; Student/Senior discount of $2 off per ticket; ages 25 and under, $10. Senior matinee performance on February 4 is $20.

For tickets contact Taproot Theatre’s box office at (206) 781-9707 or call Ticketmaster at (206) 292-ARTS. Group rates are available. For groups, call (206) 781-9708.

Tickets for the Pay-What-You-Can performance on February 4 go on sale at 5:00 p.m. day of show at the box office. In addition, a limited supply of $10 tickets will be offered from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. for that evening’s performance.