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"Gleam"

Tonight, a very good friend of mine and I went to Centerstage to check out Gleam, a play based on the novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God. It's been our yearly tradition for the past couple of years to see a play the beginning of each new year. And tonight was great since we both enjoy the works of Zora Neale Hurston. The actors were awesome, some of whom were making their debut at Centerstage but had done extensive work in television and in the movies. We thoroughly enjoyed the play and encourage others to see it too before it ends its run on February 5, 2012. Two thumbs up!!

The synopsis of the play which is directed by Marion McClinton and the cast of characters are detailed below.

Synopsis:

At 16, Janie faces a marriage of convenience and a life of quiet drudgery. Instead, she embarks on a journey that brings successes and losses enough for several lifetimes—a passage to fulfillment so singular that it manages to speak for all of our dreams. This soaring saga brings to life the vivid characters of Zora Neale Hurston’s beloved novel, a shining jewel of the Harlem Renaissance by one of America's literary giants.

The Cast (in alphabetical order):

Axel Avin, Jr
Jody Starks/Ed Dockerty

Stephanie Berry
Pheoby Watson

Brooks Edward Brantly
Tea Cake

Thomas Jefferson Byrd
Logan Killicks/Sam Watson

Christiana Clark
Janie

Erik LaRay Harvey
Hezekiah/Sop-de-Bottom

Tonia M. Jackson
Lulu Moss/Nanny

Celeste Jones
Daisy Blunt/Nunkie

Gavin Lawrence
Amos Hicks/ Johnny Taylor/Lias

Jaime Lincoln Smith
Lige Moss/Bootny

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