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Play presents life of author Hurston
Story comes to SCSU as part of Black History Month
 Media Credit: Christine Johnson/Editor Elizabeth Van Dyke, playing the role of Zora Neale Hurston, squats on the floor during the play about Hurston�s literary career Tuesday night in the Kimberly A. Ritsche auditorium. The performance was presented with permission of the National Black Touring Circuit in celebration of Black History Month.
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It was James Weldon Johnson who wrote in the preface to his Book of American Negro Poetry, "A people may be great through many means, but there is one by which its greatness is recognized and acknowledged. The final measure of the greatness of all peoples is the amount and standard of the literature and art they produced."
So no one need say "Show me the literature, show me the art."
It was shown Tuesday in Kimberly A. Ritsche Auditorium.
From New York City, starring the lovely Elizabeth Van Dyke with the versatile Joseph Edwards, "Zora Neale Hurston: A Theatrical Biography" was shown forth with extreme vibrations of gut-aching laughter, and spellbound awe.
"The best presentation ever," said Bianca Rhodes, who laughed throughout the performance. Rhodes herself performed a scene from one of Hurston's books between a woman and her friend, and won regionals in it. She credits Hurston's work.
This story about Hurston is written by Lawrence Holder and directed by Wynn Handman.
It is Van Dyke, who is able to trample on stage aged and speak morosely of the deeds that continually assault her race only to transform with abundant viscosity into a young bundle of callowness.
And as she covers herself with Hurston's character: shy yet loyal, bohemian yet apathetic to apathy, and finally strong and daring to be the best; Van Dyke duplicates Hurston for the audience admirers.
Manipulating Edwards into distinctive, virile men in Hurston's life, the play intersects historic moments: meeting Langston Hughes at the 1925 Literary Awards Dinner that both Hurston and Hughes won prizes at and collaborating with him on the project Mule Bone; castigating Alain Locke's criticism of her writings - Hurston should write for the race rather than about it; and criticizing Richard Wright and his book Native Son - there isn't any character in the book that Hurston would want to invite over for dinner, and title's correct name should be Savages.
Van Dyke roars with Hurston's attitude toward her true mission of literary proficiency.
Hurston collected many folk stories and placed them in her books. She portrayed the black in true color: happy-go-lucky, creative, and curious.
Van Dyke, with the use of body language, allowed the audience to laugh and use laughter as a way to create an honest vision of black folk in Harlem Renaissance.
Tom Meyer can be reached at: [email protected]
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