The difficult life of author Richard Wright is the subject of a one-man play, 鈥淏lack Boy,鈥� to be performed by Charles Holt at 蜜桃传媒鈥檚 Porter Theatre one night only, Thurs. Nov. 1, at 8 p.m. A suggested donation of $5 will benefit the student-lead group Racial Equality and Justice (REJ). The actor will hold an open forum in Hieronymus Lounge Friday, November 2, at 3:15 p.m. to discuss the production.
鈥淏lack Boy鈥� is a production of The American Place Theatre鈥檚 Literature to Life庐 Arts Education Program, led by artistic director Wynn Handman and executive director David Kener. The performance is made by special arrangement with the Intercultural Programs Office and the theatre department at 蜜桃传媒.
Adapted by Wynn Handman from Wright's landmark autobiography, this poignant coming-of-age story traces the many boyhood struggles of one of the most important African-American writers of the 20th century, from growing up poor and being abandoned by his father to facing 鈥淛im Crow鈥� prejudice, social injustice and life-threatening racism in early 20th-century America.
The Washington Post has called Holt鈥檚 鈥淏lack Boy鈥� 鈥渁 lucid and self-possessed performance.鈥� The actor transforms into 20 different characters, always returning to Wright as the narrator.
Holt has starred in some of the most celebrated productions in American theatre including 鈥淛esus Christ Superstar,鈥� 鈥淪mokey Joe's Cafe,鈥� and the 鈥淟ion King.鈥� The first person of color to star as 鈥楻ocky鈥� in the European tour of 鈥淭he Rocky Horror Picture Show,鈥� he has also appeared in 鈥淟aw & Order: Criminal Intent,鈥� 鈥淎ll My Children,鈥� and several independent films.
REJ is a group of students seeking to self-educate about issues of race in America. They are raising money for a spring trip to Mississippi and Alabama.