Racism pervades ‘Miller, Mississippi’

2016 festival item returns as full production at Long Wharf Theatre

Playwrights more often than not write about classic themes rather than headlines for the simple reason that topicality stales quickly. On the other hand, Boo Killebrew, whose “Miller, Mississippi” officially opened Wednesday at Long Wharf Theatre, didn’t initially realize in 2014, when she started writing her play about racism in America, that it could become more timely with age.

“Being raised in Mississippi,” the Gulfport-raised Killebrew said before a recent rehearsal, “racism wasn’t a current event. It was in the air you breathe. It was in the dirt and in the ghosts that haunt that place.

“I always knew I lived in a racist state in a racist country,” said Killebrew, who introduced “Miller, Mississippi” to

“You really see how racism and white supremacy essentially infects and haunts this family. It poisons them.”

Christine Scarfuto, literary manager,

Long Wharf Theatre

Contributed photo From left, Benja Kay Thomas, Jacob Perkins, Leah Karpel and Roderick Hill in “Miller, Mississippi.”