Photo by Jamall Morris\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Tatyana Ross
\n<\/span>Editor-in-Chief<\/span><\/p>\n

The Department of Art and Theatre at Jackson State University helped start off Black History Month with a celebration of African-American culture with a musical revue: \u201cA Salute to Black Broadway\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The revue was conceived and directed by Theatre Arts Faculty Fellows Mark G. Henderson and Yolanda Williams with intent to introduce students to the various shows that graced the Broadway stage featuring African-Americans.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like the goal was to show the drama, the song, and the dances,\u201d Henderson said. \u201cAnd it covered all the uniqueness of our culture.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If that was the goal, Henderson and Williams went above and beyond their expectations. The production had an overall gorgeous set design built by the theatre department’s own technical design professor, James Pettis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The show was packed full of scenes from classics like \u201cRaisin in the Sun\u201d, \u201cDreamgirls\u201d, \u201cThe Color Purple\u201d, \u201cSummertime from Porgy and Bess\u201d, \u201cA Soldier with a Secret from The Colored Museum\u201d, \u201cFor Colored Girls\u201d, \u201cFences\u201d, \u201cThe Wiz\u201d, and \u201cHamilton\u201d. Along with nodes to famous songs from the Jackson 5, and Tina, Ike, and the Ikettes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The costumes were designed by Dexter \u201cTokyo\u201d Harris and I think he did a great job with creating costumes for characters throughout the show, except in the \u201cFor Colored Girls\u201d scene.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even though one of the costume\u2019s did not match the character, it did not take away from the overall message of the story and that is what really matters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My personal favorite was the \u201cDreamgirls\u201d performance because it was also one of my favorite scenes in the original play and film. Nakyeria Allen, a junior social work major from Memphis, Tenn., played Effie and she brought down the house.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy favorite part about the production was the cast. Even when rehearsal was extremely hectic, there were rarely any attitudes, which I could appreciate,\u201d Allen said. \u201cIt was such a surreal moment. I have always told people that if JSU put on \u2018Dreamgirls\u2019 that I was going to be Effie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She added, \u201cI said it without a doubt in my mind, but seeing my name beside the character Effie still took my breath away.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Another scene that stood out to me was the table scene from \u201cThe Color Purple\u201d. The cast performed it effortlessly. I have seen that film so many times and seeing it brought back the feeling I remember when I was first introduced to the movie years ago. It enhanced my experience watching this production.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Overall, I think this was my favorite production that I have ever seen produced by Jackson State\u2019s Theatre Department. It was enjoyable for all ages and as I mentioned before, very interactive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It seemed like everyone on the cast and crew put their best efforts into executing a practically flawless production.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The cast seemed to involve the audience\u2019s reactions and side comments to their advantage and personally I think that this enhanced the quality of the show. I give the play two thumbs up and a five-star review.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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