CAMILLE GAVIN: A 'Lesson' in life, tempered by racism
| Wednesday, Nov 02 2011 03:36 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Nov 02 2011 04:54 PM
'A Lesson Before Dying'
When: 8 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Dore Theatre, Cal State Bakersfield, 9001 Stockdale Highway
Admission: $10, $8, seniors and CSUB faculty/staff; $5 CSUB students with ID
Information: 654-3150
'Mazatlan Doorways' exhibit
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday
Where: BAA Art Center, 1817 Eye St.
Admission: Free
Information: 869-2320
TCT Playwrights Festival
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: BeeKay Theatre, 110 S. Green St., Tehachapi
Admission: $10
Information: 972-1151
'Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)'
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Empty Space, 706 Oak St.
Admission: $20
Information: 327-PLAY
Images
“A Lesson Before Dying” will be performed this week at Dore Theatre on the CSUB campus.
A work from the “Mazatlan Doorways” exhibit, opening Friday at the BAA Art Center.
In what may be a first at Cal State Bakersfield, Jessica Boles is acting as a student dramaturge for the theater arts department's production of "A Lesson Before Dying."
The play, which opens this evening at the Dore Theatre, is set in Louisiana in the 1940s and Boles has researched racial issues of that time for her senior project. In doing so, she discovered a lot she hadn't previously known about how that time and place, particularly the way the so-called Jim Crow laws, affected black people.
"What surprised me was how little I understood about it," said Boles. "It permeated every aspect of their lives -- they (blacks) were considered lesser (people) and they were restricted in what they could do by white society."
Another eye-opener for the Stockdale High School graduate was learning how different life was at the time depicted in the play compared to what she has grown up with.
"Having lived in California all my life," she said, "I was surprised at how rich and varied the Louisiana culture is -- and about the Creoles and the Cajun culture and how all those things blend together."
In her role as dramaturge, Boles also has explored the influence of various church denominations, music played on the radio, including noted blues singer-songwriter Cousin Joe, and even clothing commonly worn in the 1940s. She compiled everything into a research binder, which she shared with the cast of "A Lesson Before Dying."
"I love helping actors and designers to bring out what they need," she said. "We had a company meeting and I gave them an overview of the time and place."
As for the "lesson" she's learned from the play itself, Boles said: "Circumstances can be very cruel but you'll always win if you stand up tall."
The play, adapted by Romulus Linney from a novel by Ernest J Gaines, is intended to be a companion piece to "The Other Wes Moore," this year's One Book, One Bakersfield, One Kern selection.
"Both touch on themes of responsibility, sacrifice, racial prejudice, and the vital importance of education," said Mandy Rees, chairwoman of the CSUB theater department. "We selected this play because, first, it is a beautiful and poignant piece, and second, we wanted to complement and enrich the experience of reading 'The Other Wes Moore.'"
"A Lesson Before Dying" is about two black men who face racial inequality -- one is a youngster sentenced to death for a murder to which he was a party but did not commit. The other is a school teacher who visits the boy in jail to help him learn to be proud of himself as a man; his final lesson of life.
Romel Rose plays the part of the teacher; Alex Williams appears as Jefferson, the young man being executed; and Chery Robinson portrays Jefferson's godmother. Maria-Tania Becerra is the director.
BAA features Linda Brown
An exhibit of Linda Brown's monotypes opens Friday with a reception that includes live music at the Bakersfield Art Association's Art Center gallery. Titled "Mazatlan Doorways -- Symbols of Hope and Despair," the artist's inspiration for the artwork arose from the "many charming doorways" she observed on a trip to Mexico last spring. Brown said each piece in her show is a mixture of monotype and collage, which she creates using oil-based inks and found objects, such as stamps, labels and maps. The exhibit can be seen at the Art Center through Nov. 30.
Festival of one-acts
Hungarian-born Klaudia Kovacs, an award-winning documentary filmmaker who spends 75 percent of her time in Bear Valley Springs, is pleased she was asked to be a director in this weekend's third annual Tehachapi Playwrights Festival.
"I'm grateful that they took me on," she said. "I started out in theater -- theater is my eternal love."
Seeking a more serene environment than Hollywood, where she also has a residence, Kovacs chose Tehachapi for her second home about three months ago. She is co-producer, with producer-director George Adams, of "Panic Nation," a film about immigration issues.
In May, the film received the top award in the documentary category at the Mexico International Film Festival. "Panic Nation" has been broadcast on Telemundo and Univision.
Kovacs, who came to the United States in the 1990s, said she has worked with Adams for 13 years. Currently she is writing a feature-length film.
At the Tehachapi festival she will direct "Bill and Coo," a comedy by Dan Roth. Kovacs says, "It's about a couple who used to be a couple who meet by chance at a coffee shop."
Ruthanne Jennings of Tehachapi Community Theatre, sponsor of the event, provided information about the other plays to be performed this weekend.
"Not Really Anything" by Doris Davis, takes you down the path of what labeling people can do.
Tom Misuraca's "No Problem" is a hilarious concept of a support group for perfect people.
"Another Woman," by Dorothy Gruett, concerns an interesting relationship between a chemistry major and an artist.
"Independence Day," by Rhea MacCallum, shows the audience a unique and touching overview of a relationship between a loving mother and daughter.
Nance Crawford has written a "twisty turning" story about two elderly long-time friends who care for their deceased friend's daughter in "How to Make a Red Hat."
Dave Shacklock's "Safehouse," is about an unlikely friendship between neighbors.
"My Daughter, a Lawyer," by Briana Haus, is a comical story about narcissistic parents encouraging their daughter to follow in their footsteps.
"The Muse," by Mark Fisher, explores the beauty of love long after the marriage vows are spoken.
Each play runs about 10 minutes and all are shown in one performance at the BeeKay Theatre.
Shakespeare light
Until now, "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" has been presented only as a late night show at The Empty Space. On Saturday, the comedy will occupy the 8 p.m. slot. But for one night only and for a $20 admission price. That's because it's a fundraiser for an excellent cause -- namely, the renovation of the theater's restrooms. The 90-minute show features Amy Hall, Lorenzo Salazar and Matthew Borton, who is plucked from the audience during the show and performs under the name Tom Brewathon. Review
Read Camille Gavin's take on "Wrinkles" page 28
