Taking a walk in someone else’s shoes will take on a new meaning on the Reilly Theatre stage tomorrow night.
“Until we are past the silhouette of people’s lives, we don’t really know a person’s experiences,” said Joy Vandervort-Cobb, guest director of “King Hedley II.”
The Swine Palace theater season opens tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. with “King Hedley II,” which offers a window into lives formed on a hard foundation of crime, failure and misfortune.
Vandervort-Cobb said the play’s plot is both interesting and easy to follow.
“When you think you know what’s going to happen, the story turns around,” she said.
Vandervort-Cobb said author August Wilson wrote “King Hedley II” to portray a black man’s chase of the American dream.
She said the cast features professional actors Adolphus Ward, Morocco Omari and Sharon London, who do national work on TV, film and theater.
Two Master of Fine Arts students also showcase their talents.
She said the main character, King, who is played by Omari faces many conflicts striving for an ideal life after being released from prison.
“It’s about struggle,” Vandervort-Cobb said.
Omari said King represents self-righteousness among the big city life in 1985.
“There is a different code of manhood in an urban environment,” he said.
Omari said his tragically flawed character will teach audiences life lessons.
Vandervort-Cobb said the play features mostly monologues to show the characters’ pasts.
She said each monologue must be extremely honest because it represents an identity.
“King’s monologue must be clear because he is the black male America,” she said.
Amber Harris, Master of Fine Arts, said she plays the role of King’s wife, Tonya, who undergoes many hardships including contemplating an abortion.
Harris said Tonya shows the importance of women standing up to men.
“I think these are the best women Wilson has written,” Vandervort-Cobb said.
Harris said the play offers a variety of emotions as it touches on sensitive issues.
She said the audience will gain a better understanding of black families and the ability to live in the present
“If you choose to let go of your past, you could possibly have a decent life,” she said.
Vandervort-Cobb said the drama is heavy, but it also offers comedy.
“The story is compelling enough, and the characters are real enough to allow people to think and laugh at the same time,” she said.
“King Hedley II” will show at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 2 and Nov. 3, as well as Nov. 7 to 9. It will run again Nov. 13 to 17 at 7:30 p.m., and three matinees will show at 2 p.m. on Nov. 4, Nov. 11 and Nov. 18.
Ticket prices are $12 for students, $15 for faculty, staff and seniors and $25 for adults.
—–Contact Lindsay Gallmann at [email protected]