"Be still, God understands."
Directed by Lorna C. Hill, "Somebody Called" relies heavily on African-American culture. The story confronts the issues faced by blacks as a result of the Jim Crowe laws without including a single Caucasian cast member.
Making its world premiere at Buffalo's Ujima Theater on Elmwood Avenue, the play teaches lessons of morality and humanity through powerful speeches and staged sermons.
Set in 1957, in Boley, Oklahoma, the plot of Eugene Lee's wonderfully written play revolves around two dramatically opposite characters, each the reverend of his own church. In the strong opening scene, the audience meets Reverend Billy Ray Jackson (Willie Judson) and then Bernard Nixon (Donald J. Capers), a young man thrown in jail after dining with white people. Nixon is conveniently imprisoned next to Reverend Thaddeus Pearl (Rodney Appleby) from Texas, who is serving time for allegedly murdering a woman named Nina Taplin (Natasha Davias).
The majority of the play is spent either in dialogue between the two inmates, or through flashbacks of sermons each reverend gave. Through Reverend Pearl's narration of Nixon's story, the audience learns all about the personalities of the two very different men.
As the lives of the two men intertwine, each attempts to prove himself the greater servant of God and Jackson tries to seduce Pearl into his corrupt system. Jackson states, "I got power," and "I'm the host to the Holy Ghost" while Pearl insists, "I have faith," and "You need to be what you see I am."
Reverend Jackson, a hypocritical womanizer, admits, "I'm the biggest sinner of them all." The audience watches as sultry Sister Savoy Sloan (Jermain Cooper), tries to lure Jackson away from his religious career, and later, Jackson uses his money and power to corrupt members of his church. He demands his parishoners "send your money to me," and even convinces a woman to exchange her body for redemption.
Reverend Pearl is entirely the opposite, sharing such wisdom as "We think we're humans trying to get in touch with our spirits, but we are really spirits, trying to be human." Convinced that through his faith, God will protect him from being punished for a crime he did not commit, Pearl does not give up hope, refuses temptation, and places his calling as his top priority.
"We all part of a plan we don't know, we just gotta do our part," Pearl said.
The attitude and beliefs of Reverend Pearl change the lives of all the characters touched by his healing powers and ability to live the word of God.
At the end of the first act, the action picks up dramatically, exploring the depths of human emotion, such as courage, and guilt. The remainder of the play demonstrates the deterioration of Reverend Jackson's career and the circumstances surrounding the murder.
Once the truth about Jackson's hoarding of money, use of alcohol, promiscuity, and lying becomes known, the truth puts Jackson face to face with Nina, a woman that could destroy his career and life.
Capers gives a humorous performance. Nixon is a na??ve, but determined man, eager to change how his race is treated. Appleby, who also starred in the play "Everybody's Ruby," convinces the audience of his character's arrogance perfectly and truly stimulates response from the audience through his loud, emotional speech.
This play is well-acted and great at delivering the message that "sooner or later we all face judgment and ourselves."
"Somebody Called" forces the audience to question its motives in life and it is an inspiring reminder of those who are devoted to changing the world for the better. Nixon offers hope for the future throughout the play: "We all sufferin'," he says, but "things don't change without somebody sufferin'."
The play is running through Feb. 23; call 883-0380 for ticket information.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
