Stokely: The Unfinished Revolution
Renowned playwright Nambi E. Kelley celebrated for her acclaimed adaptation of Richard Wright's Native Son, which premiered at Court Theatre and received the Best Play award, is now bringing another highly anticipated world premiere production to Court Theatre. Titled "Stokely: The Unfinished Revolution," this new work promises to captivate audiences with its provocation, powerful storytelling, and distinctive voice of one of the world's greatest activists, Stokely Carmichael. Making her Court directional debut, Tasia A. Jones is not a stranger to Chicago's theater scene. She previously served as the Assistant Director at Steppenwolf Theatre and has been involved in successful productions such as Pass Over at Steppenwolf, Intimate Apparel at Northlight, and Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer at Goodman Theatre. Jones does an impressive job with a skilled and talented group featuring Anthony Irons, Wandachristine, Dee Dee Batteast, Melanie Brezill, and Kelvin Roston Jr. The 90-minute production of Stokely: The Unfinished Revolution provides a stimulating chronological look into his life as he works towards completing his book before dying from Prostate Cancer; Stokely believes it was an assassination attack against him forged by "forces of American imperialism and others who conspired with them. The plays revolve around the early years of Stokely Carmichael in Trinidad and Tobago, shaping his experiences and the cultural influences that formed his identity. His mother abandoned him due to her family's belief that she was an inadequate parent. After her failed ultimatum to her husband to choose between her and his family, Mabel departs for New York and leaves Stokley behind to be raised by his grandmother, Cecilia. His father wanted him to attend Harvard, but he decided on Howard, a historically black research university. The portrayal then shifts to his time as a young man in New York Harlem, molding his social and political environment and his college days at Howard University, presenting an in-depth account of his involvement in activism, his role in organizing civil rights movements, and his unwavering resistance against the injustices perpetuated by the American political system. Additionally, the plays shed light on his outspoken critique of what he later termed "totalitarian liberal opinion." Stokley, considered the Black Nationalist "messiah" by J. Edgar Hoover, falsely "bad-jacket" him as a CIA informant to break up a merger between SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) and The Black Panthers, which was later deemed successful.
In 1978, Carmichael honored the legacies of Nkrumah and Touré by changing his name to Kwame Ture. These two leaders had become significant supporters and mentors to him. Throughout his life, he worked alongside influential figures such as Fannie Lou Hamer, Martin Luther King, Gloria Richardson (chemical gas attack), and John Lewis. Stokely was involved with SNCC, where he popularized the phrase, "Hell no, we won't go!" Joined as Honorary Prime Minister of The Black Panther Party, part of the Freedom Riders, and the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) during the 1964 Democratic Convention, where the group sought to have its delegation seated —but was refused voting rights by the DNC, which chose to sit the regular white Jim Crow delegation. All-African People's Revolutionary Party (A-APRP) is a socialist political party founded by Kwame Nkrumah. Stokley was credited with coining the phrases "Black Power," urging black pride and socioeconomic independence after Civil Rights Leader James Meredith was shot during a "March Against Fear," and "Institutional Racism," defined as racism that occurs through institutions such as public bodies and corporations, including universities. The phenomenal cast featured a sterling and breathtaking performance by Anthony Irons as Stokely Carmichael. Irons never seemed to break stride during his plethora of complex dialogue showcasing his acting brilliance. We have had the pleasure of interviewing the talented Wandachristine, who delivers a dazzling and powerful performance as Stokely's mother, Mabel (May) Charles. She exceptionally brings out all of her emotions, which can be seen in her empathetic facial expressions while interacting with Irons, during scenes where she refuses to believe he is dying, leaving the house, and begging him to stop recording. Wandachristine's performance is so captivating that viewers will be completely immersed, feeling as if she is the true mother of Stokely.
“In order for nonviolence to work, your opponent must have a conscience. ”
Dee Dee Batteast, seen in Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol with television credits on Chicago Fire and Med, and Melanie Brezill, who returns to Court as Tante Elaine, Stokely's stern and seemingly humorless aunt and Adolphus's sister. Brezill's previous Court performances include the powerful and chillingly beautiful production of "Colored Girls Who Considered Suicide/ When the Rainbow Is Enuf, These Women Shine!" Both Batteast and Brezill were outstanding. And then there is Kelvin Roston Jr. Considered one of Chicago's leading male actors, Roston is a Court Theatre Shakespearian superstar for his lead roles in The Gospel at Colonus, Oedipus Rex, and King Hedley II, part of the ten-part series The Pittsburgh Cycle of one of the greatest American playwright August Wilson. Roston's role isn't the lead in this production; however, his talent shines as Adolphus, Stokely's father, and other personalities featuring Dr. King and John Lewis. The dynamic pace of the dialogue and the seamless transition of the actors into various characters captivate the audience, making this play enthralling. I like the posing question Court raises: "What does a movement mean to one man, and what does one man mean to a movement?" To Stokely Carmichael and those involved in the civil rights movement, it meant everything! It meant life and the willingness to give it up for justice. "The Unfinished Revolution" by Nambi E. Kelley was a thought-provoking and refreshing play. Still, it needs more scenes to showcase the main character's magnetic persona and influential speeches. Additionally, a deeper exploration of the protagonist's struggles with the fears and perspectives of the white American government towards Stokely could have added further depth to the story. Still, the actors in the production gave an outstanding performance, particularly Anthony Irons's spectacular performance as Stokely Carmichael, deserving a four-star rating.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Court Theatre presents the World Premiere of
Stokely: The Unfinished Revolution
By Nambi E. Kelley
Directed by Tasia A. Jones
May 24 - June 16, 2024
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