Paul RobesonA powerful chronicle of the life of Paul Robeson, taking us from his childhood in New Jersey to his adult life around the world. An All-American athlete and a lawyer with Columbia Law School credentials, Robeson faces the racism prevalent in society in early part of the twentieth century. He strives to rise above, and it is his triumph in that struggle that turns Robeson into a modern day hero. Realizing the racist system would not allow him to practice as a lawyer, Robeson turns to singing, something he had learned well in the church choir. His singing leads to acting and his acting, with all the accolades due a master, leads him around the world. But every place he visits he sees the strains of racism in its many forms. The more he sees, the more he speaks out, using the his influence and stature to try and enlighten those around him. After some time in Europe, he returns to the United States to perform and speak out about the injustices in the country he loves. Confronting racism again, he sticks to his values, adhering to no party line, but is accused of being a Communist, an agitator and much more. He is blacklisted and his passport is revoked, but he goes on speaking out whenever he can. For eight years he fights to clear his name. Finally, the social climate begins to change and towards the end of his life, Robeson's passport is reinstated along with some of the glory and respect he earned along the way. There is still far to go, but Paul Robeson remains a beacon to those struggling to make this world a better place. This play is a powerful look at the many facets of Robeson the man, as well as Robeson the star. It is a tour-de-force for any actor. |
From inside the book
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Page 5
Phillip Hayes Dean. ( Light comes up on PAUL and comes down on bust . PAUL is in white tie and tails . He is sitting on one of the chairs . ) I just couldn't go to Carnegie Hall . I called Lawrence ... comes up on PAUL and comes down ...
Phillip Hayes Dean. ( Light comes up on PAUL and comes down on bust . PAUL is in white tie and tails . He is sitting on one of the chairs . ) I just couldn't go to Carnegie Hall . I called Lawrence ... comes up on PAUL and comes down ...
Page 12
... comes to make us slaves ! God gave us liberty : France has no right to take it away . Burn the cities , destroy the harvest , poison the wells , show the white man the hell he comes to make . " ( To audience . ) Well , I guess it was a ...
... comes to make us slaves ! God gave us liberty : France has no right to take it away . Burn the cities , destroy the harvest , poison the wells , show the white man the hell he comes to make . " ( To audience . ) Well , I guess it was a ...
Page 36
... comes a time when a wife becomes your mate . It doesn't hap- pen when you walk down the aisle . There's nothing you can do to make it happen : but there does come that time when your wife be- comes your mate . It doesn't mean she ...
... comes a time when a wife becomes your mate . It doesn't hap- pen when you walk down the aisle . There's nothing you can do to make it happen : but there does come that time when your wife be- comes your mate . It doesn't mean she ...
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Common terms and phrases
ACCOMPANIST sings African American Negro asked audience Big Red Black Bottom British Intelligence called Carnegie Hall Charles Gilpin climbing Jacob's ladder Coach Sanford colored comes Communist concert Dean Roberson Dora Williams Downstage Emperor Jones Eslanda father Federico football friends gentlemen Gilpin giraffe Git on Board guess Hamilton Harlem Renaissance Hayden hear Hoffman Jack Johnson Joe Hill Kansas City knew Lady Barclay Larry Larry Brown Let it shine Little Light Lord Barclay loved Maria Miss Minnie Negro lawyer never night Oh yes Onstage party passport PAUL addresses PAUL and Essie PAUL crosses Paul Robeson PAUL sings PAUL stands PAUL takes PAUL walks Pause Peekskill piano Pillgard pitch pipe Pop's rabbit Russia Rutgers sang siege of Madrid sits Soldiers Somerville song Spanish speak Stage Right stopped talking tape tell thank There's Tovarich trolley voice William Pop