Activist inspired ‘Constant Star’ creator

Tom Titus

Laguna Playhouse audiences are fervently applauding the courage and

conviction of an African American woman, born into slavery, who

became one of the nation’s most significant figures in the civil

rights movement.

“Constant Star” focuses on the life of Ida B. Wells, an activist

and journalist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries who fought

for the rights of African Americans long before Rosa Parks was

ejected from a bus in an incident that initiated the civil rights

movement in the South. Early in the show, Wells declares that “the B

stands for backbone,” of which she exhibited plenty.

This biographical saga, written and directed by Tazewell Thompson,

is making its West Coast premiere at the playhouse after being

applauded at 10 different venues back East. And along with its social

content, the play features 20 classic spirituals sung in a cappella

harmony.

“Her story gnawed at me,” says Thompson, who said he became aware

of Wells through a televised PBS documentary. “My play with song is

an answer to her insistent promptings. My attempt to let her story

breathe freely on stage -- to give it a symphonic expression -- to

give her extraordinary persona an audience is something she always

craved.”

In the Laguna production, five actresses share the central role of

the woman who organized the first anti-lynching campaign in America.

In alphabetical order, they are Nadiyah S. Dorsey, Quanda Johnson,

Tracey Conyer Lee, Laiona Michelle and Gayle Turner. The songs were

arranged and directed by Dianne Adams McDowell.

Of a previous East Coast staging, Daily Variety wrote that

“Tazewell’s production, in which script, staging, lighting,

spirituals, sound effects and a tireless committed cast of five are

inextricably entwined is at its best riveting, an important

theatrical addition to published black history.”

That sentiment certainly applies to the Laguna production.

Tazewell’s five actresses perform as one, even while establishing

unique identities. When one portrays Ida Wells, the others enact

characters from the saga of her life, both male and female. And the

20 spirituals the women sing during the show -- orchestrated by

McDowell -- serve to elevate their mission to a holy cause.

Thompson directed “Porgy and Bess” at New York City Opera and on

PBS’ Live from Lincoln Center, for which he received an Emmy

nomination.

His production of “Dialogue of the Carmelites” was called “the hit

and heart of the 2002 Glimmerglass Opera season.” From 1992 to 1995,

he served as artistic director of Syracuse Stage.

“Constant Star” is being performed 8 p.m. Tuesdays through

Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays until Dec.

5.

Tickets are priced from $22.50 to $54 and may be obtained by

calling the theater at (949) 494-2787.