A Soldier’s Play is a dynamic play highlighting the perils of Black soldiers and in general Black men. It should have been an honor to have Captain Davenport take the lead. However his presences threatens and reveals a pandora’s box of hostility. The exploration into the death of Sergeant Waters only reveals the hostility of undermining racism and hatred that is so layered that the end will have you in shock.
What to Know as you Prepare to See A Soldier’s Play
A Soldier’s Play is happening at Forrest Theatre. The theatre is a little smaller or least presents itself as smaller to me than Kimmel’s other theatres. So be aware of your spacing with others around you. Plan to arrive no less than 15 minutes before the start of the show. There is a bar that you can grab snacks and refreshments from. Be sure to get one of the sippy cups that they provide to help keep the theatre clean. It is a good ideal since the play is in close quarters to wear a mask. If you are late you may have to wait until you can be seated. The opening number is rather dark and therefore having the doors open takes away from the show. The show is a little under 2 hours with an intermission. The show does use a prop gun that is not loaded.
There is strong language used during the production. Caution bringing younger children. I would recommend kids ages 13 and up. My 13 year old did just fine as we discuss the very topics at home openly. The best seats are in the front but also consider getting tickets in the Orchestra. My personal preference is that these seats keep you in the middle and thus a little better in seeing the action as it unfolds.
Underlying Messaging in A Soldier’s Play
This play is happening in 1944 around the birth of the Civil Rights movement. Serving in the war doesn’t stop racism from showing its ugly head. From the fact that although these men are more than ready to give their lives for the greater good, they are still separated and doing the jobs that their white counterparts don’t want to do. Like painting the walls of places they have no legal standing to be in. At the start of the production you see the men coming together after learning of Sergeant Walter’s death and immediately the men suspect the Klan had done it. Black men being lynched at this time was common place and not even the Army could protect it from happening.
Like now unfortunately not even in death can a Black man be respected. They sent in Captain Davenport played by Norm Lee but it was just for show and props. They never had genuine care about who killed him. As much as we would be considered a high ranking officer-he was just another Black man dead. These dynamics are shown in such a way that my daughter and I spoke about them afterwards in how much it mirrors now.
The Cast in A Soldier’s Play
This cast was definitely well picked. Their ability to work together and show forth an united brotherhood doesn’t go unnoticed. I loved watching each of them blend and push one another in many of the scenes. I am never for given out spoilers. However there were many times in which seeing Black men interact with such dignity while as they do now try to be present in the face of disrespect was commonplace as well as necessary to showcase. The dynamics of showing colorism, racism, respectability politics and more with this strong cast seemed effortless.
I believe that often times it was due to the fact that whether being depicted in Charles Fuller’s A Soldier’s Play or in real life unfortunately is so tangibly real. The understood connotations that I felt as a Black woman watching didn’t go unnoticed. The little innuendos that were depicted but understood under the stage’s light unfortunately in this day and age rings high but like in A Soldier’s Play gets questioned still. Who are these men having to play respectability politics with? Their counterparts? Themselves? So many questions that have immediate answers as you watch the production unfold.
Must See Production
Even with me interviewing Tarik Lowe for the podcast, Conversations with Toi, I knew how important this one would be. When I hear people say things like “we come so far that these “things” no longer exist, ” baffles me. I wonder if it has a lot to do with perspective. When a “worthless” murder to some happens to our own is my perspective and so many like me that want more than apologies. Is it those who could shape another Black men use their power and affluence to condemn and create atrocities that could be avoided? Have we become so much better now that we have ended the personal Soldier’s Play in our own lives? Thus the cycle, pain, and complicit actions of the many who come before us just find ways to mutate?
Make sure you go and see A Soldier’s Play. Due to a scheduling conflict the last day will now be January 29, 2023. Get your tickets and come with an open mind. Be ready to learn and take what you learn to your communities. A Soldier’s Play by Charles Fuller, Philadelphia native understood the complexities in being a Black man. No stripes will ever change or uplift until we do some internal work and make it a reality in the real world and in our Armed Forces.
Thank you to Bryan Buttler Media Relations, CJM Public Relations, Kimmel Cultural Campus, the actors and staff of A Soldier’s Play, and a special thanks to Tarik Lowe for interviewing with me ahead of the production.
