Shaneen Harris
(Margaret Alexander)
Beloved Obeng
(David Alexander)
Marva Kay Jones
(Odessa)
Michael D. Fisher
(Luke Alexander)
Jerald Lynn Beard
(Sister Boxer)
Derwin Rowser
(Brother Boxer)
Charlene DeJournett
(Sister Moore)
Amira Al Amin
(Ida Jackson)
Congregation Members
Brandon Alexander-Smith
(Brother Washington/David US)
Rosemary Fitzpatrick
(Sister Douglas)
Kevin Gibaldi
(Deacon G.)
Carmen Lane
(Sister Sally)
Valecia Pickett
(Sister Rice)
ACT 1
A Sunday morning in Harlem
ACT 2
The following Saturday afternoon
ACT 3
The next morning
All the action takes place in the church and at the home of Margaret Alexander.
THERE WILL BE TWO TEN-MINUTE INTERMISSIONS
Thank you to John Catlos, Cosondra Wheeler, and Brandon Davies from Western Reserve Academy.
"The Amen Corner," James Baldwin's first play written in 1954 and premiered in 1955, is a powerful exploration of religion, family dynamics, and the African-American experience in mid-20th century Harlem. The narrative follows Sister Margaret Alexander, a storefront church pastor whose carefully constructed world of religious authority begins to crumble when her estranged husband Luke, a dying jazz musician, returns to Harlem. This unexpected reunion forces Margaret to confront her hidden past while simultaneously dealing with her son David's growing interest in pursuing a musical career—a path that conflicts with her strict religious principles.
The play draws deeply from Baldwin's personal experiences as a young preacher in Harlem, using this intimate knowledge to craft a nuanced portrayal of the Black church's role in African-American communities during the 1950s. Through Margaret's character, Baldwin examines religious hypocrisy while maintaining compassion for those seeking meaning through faith, and explores the particular challenges faced by women in religious leadership positions. The work masterfully weaves together themes of spirituality, sexuality, and family relationships, presenting them through the lens of complex, fully-realized African-American characters.
First staged at Howard University before moving to off-Broadway in 1965, "The Amen Corner" broke new ground in American theater by avoiding stereotypical representations of the Black church and African-American life. The play's exploration of universal human struggles through the specific experiences of its Black characters helped establish Baldwin as a significant voice in American theater, complementing his already considerable reputation as a novelist and essayist. Its thoughtful examination of how religion can serve as both a source of strength and a potential barrier to personal fulfillment continues to resonate with audiences today.
Glen Brackens - Piano/Keyboards
Toussaint English - Piano/ Bass
Antoine Carrington - Drums
Set Construction Crew
James Boyd, Jr.
Elijah Chase
Erin Ford
Kevin Ford
Maggie Ford
Max Ford
Dale Gilbert
Kathy Kohl
Dave Moledor
Richard Morris, Jr.
Chris Norris
Electrics Crew
Light Plot Designed by Jack-Anthony Ina
Master Electrician/Programmer: Jack-Anthony Ina
Electricians: Elijah Chase, Annabelle Otto
Costume Construction Crew
Beth Desberg
Millie Keyser
Lindy Lincicome
Jasen Smith
Wardrobe
Jerald Lynn Beard
Jasen J. Smith
Front of House
Jenny Banker
Mary Lu Barbour
Jeannie Clarkson
Douglas Fidler
Patti Gabb
Timothy Gabb
Tonya Gulley
Kyle Means
Annabelle Otto
Marci Paolucci
Katherine Peck
Nancy Shorts
Adrienne Smedley
Eric Steckel
Verna Vander Kooi
Sara Vollman
Sean Vollman
Layne Weakland
Lighting Operators
Ken Hardman
Annabelle Otto
Robin Ungerleider
WEATHERVANE ARCHIVAL PROJECT
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