By Darlene Donloe
Black consciousness is called out in Richard Wesley’s contemporary drama, The Talented Tenth, the latest production by the Robey Theatre Company in Theater Four at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in downtown Los Angeles.
The show, directed by Ben Guillory, is considered a classic of Black American dramatic literature.
First produced in 1989, the play borrows its title from a 1903 article by scholar, activist, and social reformer W.E.B. DuBois, in which he described the likelihood of one in 10 Black men becoming leaders of Black people by continuing their education, writing books, or becoming directly involved in social change.
“The Negro race, like all races, is going to be saved by its exceptional men,” said renowned Black sociologist W.E.B. Dubois at the beginning of his pivotal 1903 essay.
The play focuses on graduates of Howard University who have succeeded in life with their big houses, new cars, and lavish vacations.
 |
| Ben Guillory |
The play opens with a Black male executive (Griggs) reminding a potential younger Black male employee (Bernard) of his duty to become the best of the Black race.
 |
| Nic Few |
Bernard, played vibrantly by Nic Few, feels conflicted about betraying his original activism principles. At one time while he was a student at Howard University, he was a civil rights activist down for the cause who had a brown-skinned African queen by his side with whom he was deeply in love. Unfortunately, she was killed on the continent while trying to push the movement forward. It's something that Bernard, years later, continues to struggle with.
 |
| Tiffany Coty |
Now, in his 40s, he’s a determined executive at a small chain of Black radio stations. His programming decisions have boosted the stations’ ratings and significantly increased their commercial value.
Then, boom. Bernard is blindsided with a career crisis he didn’t see coming. He finds out his mentor, Griggs (Director Ben Guillory), the owner of the chain of stations, is considering selling it to an international white corporation. The thoughts send Bernard into a rage because it would spoil his plans for the company. Now, his world is turned upside down and he feels betrayed by Griggs – who didn’t give him a heads up or a chance to buy the stations himself.
Bernard’s life outside of work is becoming problematic, too. He has a beautiful, capable wife named Pam (Tiffany Coty) and four children.
 |
| Jessica Obilom |
Obviously going through a mid-life crisis, Bernard also has a younger mistress named Tanya (Jessica Obilom), who is determined to be his next wife.
Bernard, a whiny blowhard, has 99 problems, and, having one too many women is one.
 |
| Julio Hanson |
Why Bernard has two women fighting over him is hard to fathom. He isn’t loving, nice, or caring to either woman. In fact, he tells them both he doesn’t love them – and damn the consequences.
 |
| Monte Escalante |
His band of friends, all of whom used to be activists before they traded it in for the American dream and a more affluent life, includes Rowena (Monte Escalante) her husband, Marvin (Julio Hanson), and Ron (Stirling Bradley). While they all exhibit a bit of the familiar Black frustration, all are now part of the Black elite and free of guilt for having made it to the other side of the tracks.
 |
| Stirling Bradley |
Ron and Bernard don’t always see eye-to-eye. There’s a bit of tension between the two men who both are in love with Bernard’s wife, Pam.
Marvin and Rowena are the voices of reason in the group – mostly to no avail. Marvin tries to convince Bernard to leave his mistress – and to think twice about trying to buy the company at which he’s worked for years.
While taking in a spa day together, Rowena speaks freely to her friend Pam about her husband’s infidelity and about owning her part in the relationship. Their debate on colorism, which rings of authenticity, is a highlight of the show.
 |
| Rogelio Douglas III |
Save for Few’s energetic performance, the show lacks passion and any sense of urgency or energy.
It’s strange because the show has capable actors, they just don’t sell the material.
That falls squarely on Guillory’s shoulders. While he makes good use of the stage, Guillory’s direction doesn’t move the needle forward.
While Wesley’s prose is brilliant, in this production it drags. The show could literally be cut by 30-45 minutes.
"The Talented Tenth," directed and produced by Ben Guillory, stars Nic Few, Tiffany Coty, Jessica Obilom, Monte Scalante, Stirling Bradley, Julio Hanson, Rogelio Douglas III, and Guillory.
On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O (oh, yeah), and E (excellent), “The Talented Tenth” gets an L.
Running time: Two (2) hours, including a 15-minute intermission.
“The Talented Tenth,” The Robey Theatre Company at Los Angeles Theatre Center, Theatre Four, 514 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013, 8 p.m., Thurs.- Sat. 3 p.m., Sun. through December 10, Dark November 23 (Thanksgiving), $40, Students, group tickets, seniors, and veterans with ID, $25. Q&As will follow Sunday performances. For information: http://therobeytheatrecompany.org (213) 489-7402/ info@therobeytheatrecompany.org
No comments:
Post a Comment