WS Chronicle

By Felecia Piggott-Long, Ph.D.

The 40+ Stage Company honored the greatness of Paul Robeson with the musical play “Moments with Paul” at the Gallery Theatre at the Intergenerational Center for Arts and Wellness from Feb. 17 – Feb. 25. This musical production highlighted the career and lifetime contributions of Paul Robeson, a warrior in the struggle for civil rights.

When the production opened, an ebony grand piano stood in center stage, while Lawrence Brown (Christopher Bagley) played the spiritual “Deep River.” Upstage Robeson entered in white tie and tails just in time to connect with the rhythm of this sorrowful song. He followed this song with “Wade in the Water.” Both of these songs articulated the collective voice of African Americans during the 1950s and the 1960s.

Downstage right and left, four chairs, two on each side, suggested the overflow of a concert and served as props for various scenes of action. Robeson used one chair to represent the cross of Christ that was supported by Simon the Cyrenian when he was given the lead role in the play by the same name. Robeson played the role of the Black man who was Jesus’s cross-bearer. Another chair was used when Robeson sat and sang “Congo Lullaby,” a cultural song for his son, Paul Robeson, Jr. when he was born.

During the production, Robeson (Jason McKinney) sang such songs as “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” when his mother dies, “We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder,” “This Little Light of Mine,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “Were You There?” “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho,” and “Zog Nit Keyn Mol” as he sang in 23 different languages to promote the causes of unity and civil rights.

Among the first African Americans at Rutgers University where he was valedictorian; Columbia University Law School graduate;  All-American football team member (twice); scholar-athlete earning varsity letters in baseball, football, track, and basketball; partner in a law firm; outstanding actor in “The Emperor Jones” by Eugene O’Neill; superb singer in the movie adaptation of Showboat (1936); and political activist, Robeson earned international fame. However, because Robeson became an international advocate for peace and justice, he faced many obstacles that thwarted his progress.

Over 80 of his concerts were canceled. Although he befriended influential figures such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Harry Truman, his outspoken viewpoints led to his being blacklisted as a communist by the House Un-American Activities (HUAC), keeping him locked out of domestic venues and film studios. He was also denied the renewal of his passport, which limited his ability to perform overseas. Although he worked tirelessly to bridge the divide between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War era, the relentless challenges he faced led to depression, health issues and death at the age of 77 from a stroke.

Corlis Sellers, chair of 40+ Stage Company Board of Directors, was very pleased with the outcome of the production. “I am so thrilled with how it went and how the audience received it. It was our most well-attended show that we have done. We sold more tickets for “Moments with Paul” than any other show,” Sellers said.

 “Each show received a standing ovation. So many people came up to me and told me that they enjoyed the production. They told other people about the show. That is why we had such great attendance. So many people were there because other people had told them about it being a good show.” Sellers said.

On opening night, Saturday, Feb. 17, more than 107 tickets were sold. More than 80 people attended the Sunday matinee on Feb. 25, the last performance of the two-weekend run.

Jackie Alexander, producing artistic director of the North Carolina Black Repertory Company, was in the house on Saturday, Feb. 24. He was very impressed with the performance of author and performer Jason S. McKinney.  “His  voice is simply magnificent!” said Alexander. 

Larry Little, Professor Emeritus of Winston-Salem State University and original member of the Black Panther Party, greeted McKinney after the production. Little said, “The production was tremendous! McKinney’s voice and his stage presence was outstanding! He has a deep bass voice like James Earl Jones. He was just awesome.”

“I remember when Paul Robeson came to Winston-Salem to sing at the funeral of Miranda Smith at Shiloh Baptist Church. Robeson met Smith at the Highlander Folk School where people like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and so many others found leadership training as civil rights activists,” said Little. 

“Dr. Harry Rembert Malloy, Sr., who studied with Dr. Charles Drew, was very honored to introduce Robeson when he sang at the funeral. Dr. Malloy explained how important Robeson was to African American people during the year of 1950. 

“He was like a superstar at that time.”