Great Performances

Raisin in the Sun

'A Raisin in the Sun' portrays a few weeks in the life of the Youngers, an African-American family living on the South Side of Chicago in the 1950s. When the play opens, the Youngers are about to receive an insurance check for $10,000. This money comes from the deceased Mr. Younger’s life insurance policy. Each of the adult members of the family has an idea as to what he or she would like to do with this money. The matriarch of the family, Mama, wants to buy a house to fulfill a dream she shared with her husband. Mama’s son, Walter Lee, would rather use the money to invest in a liquor store with his friends. He believes that the investment will solve the family’s financial problems forever. Walter’s wife, Ruth, agrees with Mama, however, and hopes that she and Walter can provide more space and opportunity for their son, Travis. Finally, Beneatha, Walter’s sister and Mama’s daughter, wants to use the money for her medical school tuition. She also wishes that her family members were not so interested in joining the white world. Beneatha instead tries to find her identity by looking back to the past and to Africa.

This production featured performances by Karonda Everette, Malique Hawkins and Eugene P. Williams.

Blues for an Alabama Sky

Many plays have dealt with African-Americans during the 30's with a theme that concentrates on the effect of the migration on black life. This is one of the underlying thems in 'Blues for an Alabama Sky.' Three of the characters have migrated from the South. Although in many respects they have adjusted, there is still a bit of them left in the South - they still carry some of the southern experience with them. In dealing with the migration, all of the characters make the point that in life "you have to do what you have to do." When faced with adversity, people will do anything to survive and in many respects all of the characters are survivors. They survive until Leland, the recently migrated Alabaman interests their lives. This is a play about dreams and hopes. Each of the characters has one and each wants to fulfill those dreams in a certain way. To say more would be to spoil a performance. Although it starts out on a light note, the second half becomes deadly serious and deals with issues rarely dealt with in African American plays.

This production had an allstar cast including: Kirby Mullins, Brandon Coleman and Candice Mcdowell.

Grease

Grease is the word. You remember it, you love it, and you won't soon forget the Hampton Players' take on Rydell High. A romp from beginning to end.

'Grease' showcased performances by Alesia Lucas, Jonathan Lee, Sirece Dugard, and Zachary Hines.

The Bluest Eye

Pecola Breedlove is a young African-American girl with a very difficult life. Her father is a drunk and her mother just ignores all the problems at home. Her brother runs away a lot, so she spends most of her time alone, dreaming of a different life. In 'The Bluest Eye,' she is all alone. However, she manages to make two friends. Claudia and Freida MacTeer get to know Pecola when she comes to live with them due to her rough home life. They sympathize with her and when she moves back with her parents, they keep an eye on her to make sure she is okay. Pecola’s life takes a drastic turn when her father loses control. One day when he comes home and she is there alone, he gets a strange feeling, the same feeling he had the first time he met his wife... The consequences of her father’s actions deeply impact Pecola and her future. Claudia and Freida sacrifice all the money they have to save the little black girl who dreams of blue eyes.

This production included performances by Jocelyn Mapp, Asia Downing, Courtland Love, Jade Banks and Destin Tevis.

Dearly Departed

'Dearly Departed,' a comedy about a death in a Southern family, hits the funny bone. In the first scene, Uncle Bud suddenly keels over dead. What ensues in his wake is a raucous, backbiting gathering of his many relatives to play their last disrespects to the old codger. The minister practices his flowery eulogy, then asks the widow (Mary Fogarty) what kind of man her husband was. With calm self-assurance deriving from decades of marital misery, she says, "Mean and surly." Those are the words she wants engraved on Bud's tombstone, although her son opts for an ameliorative "Rest in peace." The antics around them from a happily dysfunctional family keep the play very much alive from beginning to end.

This production highlighted performances by Kyle Winfield, Angela Reid, Leslie Wright and Zachary Hines.

A Love To Call My Own

Ten years have passed since we witnessed Lil Sis and Juniors’ whirlwind career rise to the top in the music business only to watch her professional triumph plunge into personal turmoil when she is accused, and later acquitted, for the murder of the contemptible music mogul Steamboat. With Mama Dee gone, Lil Sis vows never to sing again. She is now faced with watching her daughter, Mia, walk down that same dark path as she pursues her love of music, her love of fame, her love of money and most of all, a love to call her own.

This original musical by Karen Turner Ward showcased songs by K.T. Price and C Major, and featured Grammy award winning R&B artist Tank, alongside performances by Destiny Gordon, Courtney Beard, Katrina Douglas, Destin Tevis, Sydni Bennett and Jade Banks.