Monday, 2/24/97
Black History Month ending, but awareness continues
‘Freedom Passages’ offers insight through readings, scenes
By Goutami Mikkilineni
Daily Bruin Contributor
Though Black History Month is drawing to a close, there are
still many opportunities for people to educate themselves about the
nation’s great African American leaders and artists. Through March
2 at the Raven Playhouse, Barbara Mealy produces "Freedom
Passages," a series of readings and scenes from a plethora of
African American writers.
Though the performances aren’t always spectacular, the
intriguing subject matter and patchwork format make "Freedom
Passages" a worthwhile experience.
Mealy, who performs in addition to producing, plays a series of
characters, including writers reading their own works and
characters in scenes from novels by Toni Morrison and Nikki
Giovanni. Peri Cousins-Harper directs this diverse performance of
two-person scenes with musical accompaniment.
The production takes place in a quaint theater with a small,
simple stage holding only a few pieces of furniture, an organ and a
picture of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
The intimate setting is perfect for Mealy’s sometimes powerful
readings of works by Langston Hughes, Sojourner Truth and Giovanni
in the first act. The content of their writing enlightens audiences
about the civil rights leaders of the 1960s, the African American
women’s suffrage movement and the 19th-century emancipation
controversy.
In between readings, composer Gerald Lynn Thompson’s organ music
treats the audience to old favorites from the jazz era.
Mealy and co-star Masequa Myers have great chemistry on stage as
a mother and daughter in a scene from Giovanni’s "My House," and
again as two old friends turned enemies in an excerpt from Toni
Morrison’s "Sula." Additionally, Myers gives a hilarious monologue
as a child.
But the highlight of the evening is the material itself rather
than the way it is presented, which is sometimes bland and tedious.
Some of the readings offer a poignant critique of America’s
treatment of African Americans. The excerpts span many different
eras, and it is interesting to see the history of the civil rights
movement. Pieces such as Hughes’ "Reflections" and Truth’s "Ain’t I
a Woman" show talented African Americans fighting for their right
to be recognized as artists and leaders.
In addition to the struggles of African Americans, "Freedom
Passages" profiles the journey toward women’s rights. Truth and
Maya Angelou, among others, receive much deserved recognition as
they address everything from lost love to sexuality.
Parts of the performance carry a lighter tone, such as Billy
Graham’s "Dark Dog" and "I Love Men" by Barbara Fisher.
The production is a wonderful way to learn about great writings
and great leaders from American history. The writings go beyond
traditional syllabus choices that students might find in their
classes, and many of the passages carry a strong voice and paint a
vivid picture of the turmoil and fight for equality during
tumultuous times in America.
The production is only running for a few more weekends. Those
who have an interest in American literature will appreciate the
content of the readings in spite of the delivery’s lack of
originality.
THEATER: "Freedom Passages" runs weekends at the Raven Playhouse
through March 2. Tickets are $6 for students and senior citizens
and $12 for general admission. Information: (213) 660-TKTS.