Cruise Control: Black Joy in Turbulent Waters, written and directed by Deletta Gillespie, is presented as part of the Theatre Morgan LOL! Laugh to Keep from Crying Fall Season, which explores the rich, complex tradition of Black humor as a tool of survival, resistance, and truth-telling. LOL! invites audiences to laugh out loud while thinking deeply. It’s a celebration of the brilliance, resilience, and sheer audacity of finding joy in the face of adversity—because sometimes, you really do have to laugh to keep from crying.

Welcome aboard the MS Sarah Kinson, where history floats, humor sails, and the clapbacks are stronger than the drinks. Cruise Control: Black Joy in Turbulent Waters is not your grandma’s historical drama—unless your grandma likes her history with a side of shade and a splash of rum punch.

Set on a cruise ship that time-travels and reality-bends, this play turns the audience into passengers on an incredible voyage. Your crew? A cast of griots, storytellers, tricksters, singers, dancers, and a cruise director and staff who’ll have you letting loose like a Caribbean uncle at karaoke night while learning how black folks have always found a way to laugh, even as the world tried to sink them.

Friday, November 7, 2025- 7:30pm Panel discussion on the Roots and Evolution of Black humor (FREE)

Saturday, November 8th- 2:00pm & 7:30pm Performances

$15-Gen. Admission $10- Senior Citizens $5- Non-MSU Students FREE- MSU Students, Faculty & Staff (w/Bearcard at box office)

In-person: The Murphy Fine Arts Center Box Office (no surcharge) (443) 885-4440

Online: Ticketmaster.com

The Murphy Fine Arts Center, Turpin-Lamb Theater 2201 Argonne Drive, Balto. MD 21218