The Half-God of Rainfall

by Inua Ellams
directed by Lindsay Smiling

March 3–30, 2025

Tickets

Streaming March 6-30

Nigerian-born British poet and playwright Inua Ellams blends Yoruba and Greek mythologies into an incredible story of a demigod-turned-NBA superstar in The Half-God of Rainfall. The epic poem follows a half-Nigerian mortal, half-Greek God named Demi, who possesses extraordinary powers yet is burdened by the expectations of his lineage. Demi’s powers grow as he leaves his West Nigerian village for the bright lights of the NBA, where he emerges as an all-world talent driven by passion, power, and destiny. Under the directorial vision of Wilma Co-Artistic Director Lindsay Smiling, (recently seen on stage in Fat Ham and My Mama and the Full-Scale Invasion) The Half-God of Rainfall features the HotHouse Acting Company and explores the intersection of patriarchy, imperialism, and American basketball.

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In the Press

NBC10 – Philly Live : Philadelphia actor makes directorial debut with ‘The Half-God of Rainfall’

The Philadelphia Inquirer – Wilma’s ‘Half-God of Rainfall’ is a mesmerizing, dizzying journey through Greek and Yoruba mythologies

Broad Street Review – Wilma Theater presents Inua Ellams’s The Half-God of Rainfall

Interview – Broad Street Review Podcast – with Suli Holum

Zoe Writes Theatre: The Half-God of Rainfall (Review)

Broad Street Review: Art to guide us through violent political reality The Wilma Theater presents Inua Ellams’s The Half-God of Rainfall

Community Partner: Masculinity Action Project (MAP)

The mission of the Masculinity Action Project (MAP) is to create new masculinities – ways of being that challenge our patriarchal culture and are rooted in humanity, connection, relationship and support. MAP supports men and masculine folks to move from the sidelines and into active participation in movements for gender justice grounded in Philadelphia.