“It is hard to imagine any human endeavor that does not benefit from having sympathetic strains of music to accompany and encourage it. Music is a moving force. Music is a gathering force. Music is to be regarded as essential to human well being.” - Oscar Brown, Jr.
In De Beginnin’ is Oscar Brown, Jr.’s brilliant musical presentation of the first chapters of Genesis in verse. The score, a fusion of gospel and R&B, was written in collaboration with his son, Oscar “Bobo” Brown III. Ujima had the immense pleasure of producing In De Beginnin’, under Oscar’s direction and Bobo’s musical direction, in 1989. In De Beginnin’ features The Lawd who is a lady, a likable fellow named Adam, a pretty and defiant Eve and the smooth-talking Debil – backed up by an eloquent preacher and soulful choir.
We proudly begin the celebration of our 30th Anniversary by remembering Oscar’s wisdom, wit and love for community as evidenced in every word and sound of this wonderful play.
Sept.19 - Nov.16
In De Beginnin’
by Oscar Brown, Jr.
directed by Lorna C. Hill
music directed by Dr. Jackie Peoples
choreography by Gail Lyons Hawkins
February 6 - March 1
The Visit
by Friedrich Dürrenmatt
directed by Philip Knoerzer
Guellen is a small town, once wealthy, which seems to be abandoned now by the industrial world. The factories have closed and the town is potentially bankrupted. So when Claire Zachanassian, a hometown girl who’s become a billionaire, comes back and announces that she intends to give 50 million to the municipality and 50 million to be distributed to the citizens of Guellen, the people begin to dream of a rebirth of the town. But there is one condition set down by the old lady: that her old lover Ill, who betrayed her 50 years before by refusing to acknowledge their child, has to be condemned to death and executed by the people of Guellen. At first shocked by this barbarian demand, the citizens, little by little, will forget their sense of justice.
original artwork“Cat” and “Roofs”
by Alex Kozik
original artwork“Garden” by Alex Kozik
May 8-31
The Green Pastures
by Marc Connelly
directed by Lorna C. Hill
original artwork “Canyon” by Alex Kozik
Of course Mr. Connelly was not African American and it is reasonable to challenge his ability to accomplish his goal. Connelly’s conception is a lighthearted, yet respectful, departure from how the scriptures are normally interpreted. The Lord is pictured taking on characteristics and qualities that are usually associated with human behavior, but as the play reminds us, God made man in His own image. Although we see the Lord as a kindhearted patriarch, for Him, man is an experiment and it is apparent that the Lord is no more familiar with the possibilities of man than man is himself. This in turn creates a dual learning experience that involves both joy and suffering.
The Green Pastures was first produced in 1930 and won Mr. Connelly the Pulitzer Prize for that year. The play’s constant stream of African American spirituals and its ability to clearly depict a wide array of moral lessons with love and humor make it an ideal choice for Ujima’s 30th anniversary season.
“God appears in many forms to those who believe in him. Thousands of Negroes in the Deep South visualize God and Heaven in terms of people and things they know in their everyday life. The Green Pastures is an attempt to portray that humble, reverent conception.”
Marc Connelly
2008-2009 Season
“Everything is dragged along and everyone gets caught somewhere in the course of events. We are all collectively guilty...Comedy alone gets at our problems.”
Friedrich Dürrenmatt
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