“Circumstances” A Play About Choices

Hadley Players showcase their new play "Circumstances."

 “Circumstances,” a play
written by Roger Parris, is being presented at the Harlem
School of the Arts, located at 647 St. Nicholas Avenue
in Manhattan (142nd Street).  A Hadley Players production, “Circumstances”
takes form under the directorship of veteran director and performer, Arthur
French, Gertrude Jeannette, Hadley Players’ Founder/CEO Emeritus; CEO, Voza
Rivers, and Artistic Director, Ward Nixon. 
“Circumstances” runs until Sunday, January 20th.

 The play takes place at a
predominantly white New England university
during the 1960s, a time when the Civil Rights Movement was at the fore and
many socially conscious individuals of all races traveled to the south to aid
voter registration.  Given the violence
by whites and the life threatening circumstances facing black people, only the
bravest of souls traveled south to fight for change and greater freedom for
Black people.

 The storyline of this drama
centers around two young African American college roommates who have little in
common outside of their 4.0 grade average. 
Both brilliant, they come from socially and economically diverse
backgrounds.  The more worldly Timothy
(Curtis Williams), who was raised by his number-running grandmother, Mama Dee
(Louise Mike), who’s wish for her grandson, was to make a difference in the
world via obtaining his degree and using his brains over his fists.  Afrocentric in his thinking and impatient to
change the circumstances of black people in America, particularly as the Civil
Rights Movement began to demand that black people be allowed to exercise their
rights to vote which was opposed throughout the racist south, Timothy was
anxious to get involved in voter registration down south, even if it meant
foregoing his education. 

 18-year old Robert Hudson
played by Matthew Murumba, on the other hand, was raised in a protective
environment and had very little exposure to the world at large, let alone to
the plight of other members of his race. 
A studious sort, Robert kept his nose to the grindstone in an effort to
live up to his father’s expectations of him. 
Unfortunately, Robert’s father, Dr. Hudson, (Leopold Lowe) spent more
time with his medical practice than with his son.  Dr. Hudson had already decided what Robert’s
future would be.  In fact, so adamant was
Dr. Hudson in his resolve, it never occurred to Robert to question his father’s
goals for him.  Rather cold in his
demeanor, Dr. Hudson (Leopold Lowe) rarely showed up for any of his son’s social
activities and behaved more in the capacity of disciplinarian than caring
father. 

 A maverick in his behavior
and rather anti-social toward his fellow students, Timothy loved to break all
the college rules – occasionally sneaking guests such as town local, Mr. Ellis
(Albert Eggleston), into his pigsty of a room, smoking herb and drinking with
him.  This behavior brought him under the
watchful eye of one of the few African American deans on campus (played by Allie
Woods).  Dean Hendricks impressed by
Timothy’s brilliance sought to alter Timothy’s defiant behavior by assigning
the well-behaved Robert to Timothy’s room, hoping Robert’s conformity would rub
off on Timothy. Also since there were few African Americans attending the
university, the Dean had a special interest in presenting the few African
Americans in attendance as model citizens. 
The two boys clashed from the start. 
It wasn’t until the boys had several fights and Robert demonstrated he
had some knowledge of black history that Timothy warmed toward him.  Timothy agreed to introduce the virginal and
inexperienced Robert to girls, in particular Pepper, played by Staxx Cadero,
who introduces Robert to the more romantic side of life.  Before long, Robert was sampling liquor, weed
and getting a taste of life.  This led to
both boys getting in trouble and a disciplinarian board which only served to
solidify and deepen their friendship.

 The audience becomes engaged
as the stellar cast leads the viewer to its thought provoking conclusion.  “Circumstances” is a poignant and riveting
play.  A play about choices and
circumstances that make men out of boys, setting them on a course that alters
their individual life for the rest of their lives.  I recommend going to see it before it
closes.  It’s a play that stays with you
long after the curtain drops.

 Upcoming Hadley plays are: a
comedy entitled “Benefits” by Martha J. Thomas. 
The third production for the season will be a drama, the title yet to be
announced.

 

 

 

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