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The term "Red Summer" was coined by civil rights activist and author James Weldon Johnson, who had been employed as a field secretary by the NAACP since 1916.  It is the period from late winter through early autumn of 1919 during which white supremacist terrorism and racial riots took place in more than three dozen cities across the United States. “Red Summer” is also the name of the premiere musical by Governors State University Center for the Performing Arts in collaboration with MPAACT Theatre. It tells the story of the Chicago entry into the red summer uprisings.

We meet the energetic and talented chorus with the opening musical number “Setting the Stage”. The neighborhood comes alive. Two families living on either side of an imaginary dividing line, basically in the same economic position, await the return of loved ones from the war. Hard-working ethnic immigrant Mam Weir and her impulsive son Declan Weir await the return of son and brother, Connor Weir. While across the racial line, equally hard-working Marlene Winters awaits her husband Donald Lee Winters. Marlene has the added burden of losing a child to the 1918 pandemic. Tensions rise with men coming home from the war compete for work in an shrinking economy. Tensions run high with everyone looking for a scapegoat. One hot summer day, Eugene Williams a child, swam into a segregated area of Lake Michigan. He was stoned and drowned. Since the authorities took no action, African Americans took it upon themselves and riots ensued with the ethnic Irish. These riots were documented by The Chicago Defender and the Chicago Tribune.

The writing staff of Shepsu Aakhu,  Andrew White & Shawn Wallace did an excellent job giving voice to the despair, fear and dashed hopes and dreams of its characters. Writing a musical is difficult. Writing a musical where “all’s well doesn’t end well” is almost impossible but they have done it. This was no easy task.

I could write paragraphs about the largest cast ever to grace an MPAACT production, but for the sake of brevity I can only point out a few. Let me say, the entire ensemble was beautiful.  Chloe, Lauren, Katherine, Allison, Autumn, Anthony, Michael, Destin, Dane, Jacque, Danelle, and Marc this show would not have been as successful if it were not for your kinetic stage energy and talent.

Ashlea Woodley as Mam Weir, Alexander Slade as Declan and Ryan Huemmer as Connor.  I loved them individually, together they blew me away. When their voices came together with the song “Eyes Ahead” it was magic. I sat up and took notice.

C.C. Rois also stood out as Marlene Winters. Her singing was ethereal. Her grace and elegance manifested in her songs. I was especially moved by her graveyard scene. Touching and warm.

Nathaniel Andrew who plays Donald Lee Winters, made us root for him. His singing voice pure and honest…who knew.

Melanie Victoria as Ida B Wells captured the audience with her stage presence and gospel-tinged singing.

Bob Sanders as Mayor Bill Thompson was equally as compelling as a counterpoint to Ms. Wells

J. Xavier as army veteran-bartender Dixon is a powerful presence. A robust singing style makes him a standout.

Michaelyn Oby played Eugene Williams sweetly. I’m sure I’ll see more of her on the Chicago stage.

Brian Healy as the Casmero Lazeroni, the fruit peddler was a major joy and standout. His voice was unreal. It was a character I looked forward to. Not to give away anything, but I was hurt.

Jessica Wardell’s tall, skeletal Chicago tenements and storefront along with a fruit peddler with cart, gave the set a sense of 1919 realism. Abboye Lawrence’s media gave us a sense of time and place especially the media for the Chicago Defender and the mayor’s office. Evelyn Danner is to be applauded for brilliant costume design. Terrific Lighting effects by Brandon Wardell.

It is obvious this production grew because of the special gifts of Andrea Dymond.  Her specialty is new works and bringing them to fruition. As I’ve said before, musicals are hard ands sad musicals are harder. Despite the subject matter, Dymond has made a stunning, engaging portrait of a shameful past. 

Shepsu Aakhu you can’t be your own dramaturge!

Red Summer is playing till September 25th.

Friday and Saturday at 730,

Sunday at 2pm.

Tickets start at $30.00 to $57.00. And tickets can be bought online at CenterTickets.net or call 708-235-2222.

Governors State University is located about 45 min from Chicago, at 1 University Pkwy, University Park