LeRoi Jones' ( Amiri Baraka's ) The Dutchman ( 1964 )

"In a tiny space with a barebones set and a few props, Excaliber Shakespeare company of Chicago is spinning a powerful tale. At first, seduction seems to be the theme of "The Dutchman" by Le Roi Jones ( also known as Imamu Amiri Baraka ), but it soon becomes apparent what happens on the New York subway in which the play is set is a microcosm of race relations in this country. Four actors rotate roles in this two-character, one-act play. At any given performance, Clay, a somewhat reserved, middle-class black man, might be played by Daniel Morgan Shelley or Derrick Anthony. Lula, a seductive white woman, is played by either Beth Hilton or Marisa Sanders. Mark Macoun handles the nonspeaking role of The Conductor at all performances. Shelley and Sanders proved a powerful combination at a recent performance, under Robinson's fiery direction." -- Myrna Petlicki, The Pioneer Press Oak Leaves, June 7, 2001.

With A Quartet of Strong Dramatic Actors, Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder And Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson Staged A Critically-Praised 2001 Revival Of Le Roi Jones' ( Imamu Amiri Baraka's ) The Dutchman At The Harrison Street Galleries Studio Theatre of Oak Park And Earned A Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nomination For Best Direction of A Theatrical Production In The Process

Without question, one of the most provocative and outspoken African-American voices heard in the 1960s was that of playwright, poet and black nationalist Le Roi Jones ( aka Imamu Amiri Baraka ). His 1964 play on race relations in America, The Dutchman, earned him an Obie Award for Best American Play. The work was presented as a gritty and intense 1960s film starring Al Freeman as Clay and Shirley Knight as Lula. And, as many of the ideas represented regarding race relations in America then still hold truths for contemporary audiences now, Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder Darryl Maximilian Robinson chose to stage the play in 2001 in the intimate confines of The Harrison Street Galleries Studio Theatre in Oak Park, Il. ( a stone's throw away from Chicago's Urban West Side ). Mr. Robinson's staging was enhanced by a fine, strong quartet of dramatic actors including: Derrick Anthony and Daniel Morgan Shelley alternating in the role of Clay, and Beth Hilton and Marisa Sanders alternating in the role of Lula. Talented young actor Mark Macoun ( who also served as the production's stage manager ) did fine work as he appeared in the nonspeaking yet symbolic role of The Conductor. The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago 2001 revival of Jones' / Baraka's The Dutchman earned excellent reviews ( for all cast members ), and for his work in the piece, Darryl Maximilian Robinson received a 2001 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nomination ( The Lloyd Richards Award ) for Best Direction of A Theatrical Production.

http://www.abouttheartists.com/productions/100421-the-dutchman-at-the-harrison-street-galleries-studio-theatre-2001

http://resumes.actorsaccess.com/dms

https://www.flickr.com/photos/134731864@N02/albums/72157680592921372

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4044376/?ref_=nmbio_bio_nm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/bio/Darryl-Maximilian-Robinson/ http://www.jeffawards.org/archives?combine=Darryl+Maximilian+Robinson&field_nomination_category_target_id=94&field_award_year_target_id=58&field_division_target_id=13&field_recipient_value=1

https://en.everybodywiki.com/Darryl_Maximilian_Robinson

Note: The multiracial, non-Equity professional chamber theatre, The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago is pleased, proud and honored to share and present this archival article in acknowledgement of 2019: The Year of Chicago Theatre!

LeRoi Jones' ( Amiri Baraka's ) The Dutchman ( 1964 )

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