Flyin’ West

Flyin’ West presented by Quintessence Theatre is a story rooted in the journey of home ownership for Black people. It’s also about being proud of who you are as well as the economic class that having land can produce. This story of sisters being bound by what is right sent chills in my spine and tears in my eyes.

Pearl Cleage’s Flyin’ West

What a story to be told? Sisters, Sophie played by Deanna Wright and Fannie played by Maya Smoot have their home and are about to give a share of the home and land to their younger sister, Minnie. Home ownership meant so much to Black people in that time. Living in an all Black town, Nicodemus in Kansas, keeping their town from White outsiders is Sofia number one focus. What makes this so important? As women especially Black women having something that they owned goes deeper than a piece of land to have. Having this land makes sure that they don’t have to marry to obtain a certain lifestyle-they own it.

Neighbors who Become Family in Flyin’ West

Neighbor, Miss Leah has moved in. She is getting in age. Miss Leah has a story that broke me. I as an African American woman have heard so many stories of the brillant past slaves and their courageous lives, but none like this. Miss Leah has had her body taken in so many ways. She had to use her body to bear children who were all stolen by her slave owner to work. Every baby she has had never even been able to bond. I sat there as a Mother thinking about that. Our ability to now have our children and raise them was a novelty in that time. As Minnie comes homes with her husband she hadn’t known long, Miss Leah’s powerful revelations become powerful.

Philip Brown who plays Will was so refreshing. His role as he courts Fannie is about protection. He isn’t interested in owning Fannie but sees her as someone he wants to love. It was just a mirror I needed to see. A Black man who wasn’t trying to conquer but grow. His delicate nature and preserving spirit was like a ray of warm sunshine in the coldest weather. Simply beautiful.

Women as Property and Black Identity in Flyin’ West

In Flyin’ West we meet the villain of the story or so we think, Frank. Frank is the husband of Minnie. As she is overwhelmingly excited to see her sisters and get back to culture, Frank on the other hand isn’t too pleased. His father is White and he is also very fair. Without exactly trying to pass he wants to be accepted as a White man. Everything about the Black experience and culture he has a clear disdain. Every word, the way he carries himself and his word choices screams the hatred for who he is. How much that parallels now. So many now want nothing to do with what it means to be Black in all of its richness.

He also is beating Minnie. He even convinced her to sign over her part of the land. She would have never signed if it meant her own pregnancy wouldn’t be in jeopardy. He treats Minnie as less than. Hitting her and mistreating her like she doesn’t matter. This is what Sofia wanted to fight for. It’s not clear on her idea of marriage but marriage being an means to ownership and carving the life she wants is definitely off the table.

Black Experience

As we watch the story unfold, there are so many things happening at once and at the same time. Miss Leah speaks a profound word to Minnie about protecting her unborn baby. It was like she was telling Minnie to do what she couldn’t do when her slave owner had control over her. Miss Leah throughout is struggling with telling her story to Fannie who wants to write it down and showcase in a book for preservation. But in that moment when she is holding Minnie, was when as I was sitting in the front row tried to contain my tears. It was a moment that took me to my Great Grandmother’s hands as she would rub my own head and tell me stories. These stories weren’t just  stories but pieces of her that she was giving me. Miss Leah took me back. So many of us have heard and continue to hear stories of our ancestors. The way that they paved the way, is nothing short of phenomenal.

Something to note, the director is also Miss Leah, played by none other than the phenomenal woman, Zuhairah “Z” McGill. Anytime you see her, now that her acting touches beyond the screen. This production is moving, full, and needful. And you will find out what it means when in the title “Flyin’ West!”

 

The show has been extended until July 3rd. Tickets are available now. Get them and see this story unfold.

Thanks to Quintessence Theatre and Perpetual Motion PR for having me.