Keiston Drake

Asante shows ‘Glory’ of Attucks team

PWJW_Indy Reviews, Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

By John Lyle Belden

The word “asante” is an expression of gratitude used in much of Africa. Here in central Indiana, we are grateful for Deborah Asante and the Asante Art Institute (expanded from her established art and theatre programs in 2018). This treasured local institution helps guide self-discovery and celebrate the African American experience through creative programs and performances.

With the current climax of high school and college basketball under way downtown, Asante focuses on the program that helped change the game far more than most people realize. The historical drama “A Touch of Glory” by Laura Town, directed by Ms. Asante, tells the story of the Crispus Attucks Tigers, the first all-black team in America to win a public high school state championship, taking the title in 1955 and 1956, a team that featured future hall-of-famer Oscar Robertson. It was also the first state title for an Indianapolis squad. This is well known, yet far from the whole story.

We are guided through this story by the “Angel” spirit of Willie Burnley (played by Joshua Short), whose hoop dreams ended after high school, getting his wings from cancer a few years later. He has not only a story to tell, but also an important role in it. He notes that Robertson was known to get a triple-double – double-digit points, rebounds, and assists – nearly every game.

Willie will tell us about Oscar’s two greatest assists.

At the heart of the story is the Tigers’ coach, Ray Crowe (Reggie McGuire), who worked his way up from school janitor and built a team in a school that didn’t even have a proper gym. His determination, confidence and optimism help to win over reluctant and cautious principal Russell Lane (Ennis Adams Jr), as well as his fiancé/wife of saintly patience Betty (Clarissa Michelle), and the boys who played street ball in “The Dust Bowl” – Burnley, Robertson brothers Bailey (Joshua Bruton) and Oscar (Deontà Stark), future Mr. Basketball Hallie Bryant (Bryce Hawthorne) and future Globetrotter Dill Gardner (A’veon Curry), who played barefoot.

The play also features Matthew Brown as sportswriter Bob Collins, who sees more than good story here; Rick Drumm in supporting roles; and Joe Wagner as a couple of less savory persons.

Most impressive are the Cheerleaders – empressnikia, Shelby Brown, Taylor Todd – fitting naturally as a sort of Greek Chorus as well as aiding the story and its atmosphere.

Short gives Burnley, who mostly rode the bench but didn’t seem to mind, an infectious joyful energy that keeps us engaged. This, and the earnest portrayal of Coach Crowe by McGuire, help elevate the by-the-numbers sports hero story to something that feels important beyond its own time and place. Though we know the end, in looking at the story from an early-50s perspective we feel the tensions, imminent threat, and the deafening silence in place of support from other parts of the city and state.

We get an interesting glimpse into the Robertsons: Bruton’s Bailey is brash and vocal, yet focused while on the court. Stark’s Oscar lets his game do the talking and easily comes across as a future legend. Curry as Gardner gives an interesting perspective on the meaning of success under limited options. Keiston Drake plays another Tiger player, and also provides beautiful vocals during a musical moment.

The choreography by Shawn Cowherd extends beyond the cheer routines as the scenes of basketball action move with easy grace and athletic beauty. Clever and functional set design is by Antonio Burks, with costumes by Latoya Adams. AshLee Burks is assistant director, and Kelli Thomas is stage manager.

The Academy provided support on and behind the stage. Credit where due: Kyler Brown, Lamont Swayze, Kawai Castillo, Adina Sconiers, Ava Floyd, Zeruiah Bailey, and Reygan Rucker, with teaching artists Jasmine Robinson and Reno Moore and performance mentor Kiheem Brown.

“A Touch of Glory” has performances 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as well as 1 p.m. Saturday (April 2-4) at the Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St., Indianapolis. For tickets, see athenaeumindy.org. Put on some green and gold if you feel like it, and you might even learn the “Crazy Song.”

Hear and feel the ‘Voices of the Avenue’

PWJW_Indy Reviews, Stage , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

By John Lyle Belden

From Emancipation in the 1860s to well into the 20th century, Black populations brought together by community and herded by racist policies gathered in neighborhoods across America that managed – despite contrary forces – to flourish, at least for a time. In Indianapolis, that legacy is Indiana Avenue.

That street, and its jazz-infused culture, is celebrated at the District Theatre on Massachusetts Ave. in the world premiere musical, “Voices of the Avenue,” a stunning, inspiring story by new playwright Brandi L. Metzger.

Set at an actual popular Indiana Ave. nightspot, the Sunset Terrace, this is the story of sisters Constance (Jodi Holmes), a writer for the Indianapolis Recorder (still a voice for Black issues today), and Pearl (Komoca Rowley), a singer and regular at the Sunset. On the night of club owner Denver’s (Jay Fuqua) 50th birthday celebration, Connie arrives hoping to persuade Pearl to join her in leaving for New York to seek bigger opportunities. The joint is jumping, thanks in part to performer Burnin’ Bernie (Keiston Drake). Also present is a mysterious white man, calling himself Apollo (Clay Mabbitt), who keeps writing something in his notebook.

This is also a story of a time and a place at a cultural and historical crossroads few on the Avenue saw coming. As Denver reminisces, despite troubles through the 1920s and ‘30s, the Black communities rallied and “Indy’s Harlem” persevered. But it is 1945; soon, thousands of men – mostly white – will be returning from the War and the age of “redevelopment” and suburban boom will begin. This Apollo represents succinctly. An advance scout and embodiment of the coming change, he presents himself as an amateur hypnotist who can freeze the moment to let us in our own era beyond the fourth wall know what forces are at play and the justifications they will use to act.

The brighter side of the Avenue, full of life and brave joy, is personified by the music of the outstanding on-stage ensemble, led by Matt “BigBeatz” Franklin at the keyboard, with jazz pianist Carl Hines, Jef Payne on trumpet, and Byron L.A. Hobbs on drums. Stephen Martin Drain and Nakia B. White tend the bar and provide backup vocals. Club patrons are played by Heather Strain, Teresa Francis and DaJuan Thrasher.

This production is in the able hands of veteran director Nikki Miles, assisted by Angela Leonard. Justin M. Lewis provides cool choreography appropriate to the times, and even gets Mabbitt to cut a rug.

The songs are all original, by Metzger in collaboration with Franklin and the actors who perform them. They perfectly capture and move the plot, and a rousing salute to “The Sunset” is fun to sing along to – which we’re encouraged to do at the end.

Holmes and Rowley give great performances with voices sharp whether in song or snapping at each other as siblings do. We can feel their relational struggles as well as the growing shadow of the bigger story they are in. Fuqua plays Denver as all charm and blind optimism, perhaps not an angel, but a vital part of the Avenue. Drake gives Bernie the driven attitude of the talented up-and-comer not wanting to consider there might not be a place to get to.

The only disappointment is that this intense experience clocks in at just under an hour. Still, a lot of story and history is packed in. It never feels rushed, like great jazz; I just wasn’t ready for it to end. It’s one thing to learn by reading, lecture, or even documentary, about the spirit of Indiana Avenue, but “Voices of the Avenue” gets you to truly feel it.

This work was brought about by Black Light Training and Development, a grantee of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Metzger is a recent graduate of its playwriting course. Find more information at the program’s Facebook page.

Remaining performances of “Voices” are today (as we post this) and tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, at the District Theatre, 627 Mass. Ave., Indianapolis. Get tickets at indydistrictthteatre.org.