A Riveting "A Soldier's Play"!

[mrdreamjeans]

When: Sunday, February 12, 2023
What: “A Soldier’s Play” National Tour
Where: The Fitzgerald Theater - St Paul, MN

Last evening was the third of six offerings in my season subscription to The Ordway Theater in St Paul. “A Soldier’s Play” was moved from The Ordway to the more intimate Fitzgerald Theatre a few blocks away for its run. This riveting WWII murder mystery written by Charles Fuller and directed by Kenny Leon, is set in 1944 at Fort Neal, Louisiana, where an all Black company of soldiers, commanded by white officers, is anxiously waiting for overseas assignment, desirous of being on the front lines.

In the first three minutes of the play an African-American NCO is murdered. The investigating officer, also African-American, builds his case despite the interference of white commanding officers.

The events of “A Soldier’s Play” take us on an intense journey of race-relations, racism and brutality, an unsettling tale of right and wrong with a dose of self-loathing. Do you overcome racism, by working within the system or move forward by challenging the status quo at every turn?

This revival of “A Soldier’s Play” was produced by the Roundabout Theatre Company in New York City, winning the Tony Award for Best Revival of a play in 2020. It’s highly unusual for stars to tour these days, but at the show’s center is Broadway star Norm Lewis as Captain Richard Davenport, a military lawyer. Lewis’ charismatic, powerful performance was a revelation. My previous knowledge of Lewis has been as a leading man in musicals. His performance in “A Soldier’s Play” shatters any pre-conceptions I held about him!

Everyone in the cast of 17 (with understudies) is excellent. Eugene Lee as Sergeant Vernon C Waters offers a heart-breaking portrait of the murdered man, presented in a series of flashbacks. The veteran actor’s tortured patriot is at the center of this mystery; every other character’s actions revolve around him, are examined to uncover the truth of his death.

I would be remiss not to mention Sheldon D. Brown as Private C. J. Memphis. Remember his name. He invests his pivitol character with a sweet, languid innocence that makes his tragic ending all the more painful to watch.

Sadly, up against the Super Bowl last night, only about half of the Fitzgerald’s seats were filled for the final performance of “A Soldier’s Play” in St Paul. I have no regrets choosing theater over football. I got to see art being created. The Super Bowl was held in Arizona. The Kansas City Chiefs were victorious ... or were they? It's Arizona where results are always challenged. HA!

If “A Soldier’s Play” is scheduled to play your city, don’t miss it! Its upcoming dates are in Philadelphia, Charlotte, Washington, DC and New Haven.