The best way to celebrate history is by confronting the uncomfortable truths. So celebrate a late Independence Day by acknowledging the personal-life messiness of at least one of the Founding Fathers. In this meta play, a theatre company stages a play based on Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, and any rosy interpretations of the past – or of the playwright and her romantic partner/co-star’s relationship – get immediately challenged. With a script from Pulitzer-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks, Sally & Tom defies the idea of clean narratives. The past is messy. It demands examination. And you’ll want to be in the room when Parks’ examination happens. – Cat McCarrey
