Photo by Jamall Morris
Tatyana Ross
Editor-in-Chief
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: “A Salute to Black Broadway”.
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.
“I feel like the goal was to show the drama, the song, and the dances,” Henderson said. “And it covered all the uniqueness of our culture.”
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.
The show was packed full of scenes from classics like “Raisin in the Sun”, “Dreamgirls”, “The Color Purple”, “Summertime from Porgy and Bess”, “A Soldier with a Secret from The Colored Museum”, “For Colored Girls”, “Fences”, “The Wiz”, and “Hamilton”. Along with nodes to famous songs from the Jackson 5, and Tina, Ike, and the Ikettes.
The costumes were designed by Dexter “Tokyo” Harris and I think he did a great job with creating costumes for characters throughout the show, except in the “For Colored Girls” scene.
Even though one of the costume’s did not match the character, it did not take away from the overall message of the story and that is what really matters.
My personal favorite was the “Dreamgirls” 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.
“My favorite part about the production was the cast. Even when rehearsal was extremely hectic, there were rarely any attitudes, which I could appreciate,” Allen said. “It was such a surreal moment. I have always told people that if JSU put on ‘Dreamgirls’ that I was going to be Effie.”
She added, “I said it without a doubt in my mind, but seeing my name beside the character Effie still took my breath away.”
Another scene that stood out to me was the table scene from “The Color Purple”. 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.
Overall, I think this was my favorite production that I have ever seen produced by Jackson State’s Theatre Department. It was enjoyable for all ages and as I mentioned before, very interactive.
It seemed like everyone on the cast and crew put their best efforts into executing a practically flawless production.
The cast seemed to involve the audience’s 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.
