Power Play ~ “Native Son” at Marin Theatre Company

Playwright, Nambi E. Kelley adapted Richard Wright's legendary novel: Native Son
Playwright, Nambi E. Kelley adapted Richard Wright’s legendary novel: Native Son
James Baldwin screen shot

Playwright, Nambi E. Kelley adapted Richard Wright’s legendary novel: Native Son

When Richard Wright’s novel, Native Son, was published in 1940 it was an unprecedented success. The book moved 215,000 copies in its first three weeks, outselling everything else its stunned publishers had put out in 20 years and rapidly making Wright the first “best selling” African-American writer in American History.” ~ Laura A. Brueckner

Bravo Marin Theatre Company!
397 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941
(415) 388-5200

AGJ: Saw this phenomenal production at last night’s opening. Kelley’s adaptation shows her skill at crafting Wright’s penetrating novel for the stage. She delivered a shrewd distillation of this classic about Bigger Thomas, a young, tormented black man who fits too easily into the present-day social-political landscape.

Everything worked ~ the ensemble gelled, with all cast members embodying the characters and “dancing” effortlessly through the physicality of the staging, while delivering lines that snapped —and sometimes overlapped—keeping the story moving.

I’d see it again.

 Jerod Haynes as Bigger Thomas
Jerod Haynes as Bigger Thomas
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Dane Troy (Buddy), Ryan Nicold Austin (Vera), C. Kelley Wright (Hannah), Jerod Haynes (Bigger), William Hartfield (The Black Rat)
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Far Left: Rose Hallett (Mary) and Far Right: Adam Magill (Jan)

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0 comments

  1. Anita,
    I read all your posts which I find highly informative. Also saw play, found playwrights adaption fascinating.

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