David Hemphill, Black Theatre Troupe Executive Director and Stage Director and cast member, Rico Burton, for The Gospel at Colonus come on AZ Daily Mix to talk about Black Theatre Troupe’s current show, The Gospel At Colonus, running through this weekend at the Tempe Center for the Arts. David can speak about this groundbreaking concept, which takes Sophocles’ ancient Greek tragedy, Oedipus at Colonus, and performs it as a gospel musical/song-play. Joshua Walker, has designed incredible costumes for the production, blending the Greek mythological styles with bright African patterns, textiles and headpieces to capture the essence of this groundbreaking concept. For tickets visit blacktheatretroupe.org
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00:00 The Black Theater Troupe production of the Gospel at Colonus is coming to a close this weekend
00:07 But then they'll be starting the new
00:09 Season with of course Christmas time going on and David is here with us along Rico who is in this production now David
00:16 Let's talk about this production that is coming to a close this weekend
00:19 But it's been going since October 27th since the 27th. Tell me a little about this one. Well, it is a
00:26 mixture so to say of the African American Pentecostal Church meets Greek tragedy
00:33 It's based on Socrates
00:35 Tragic play
00:38 Oedipus at Colonus, so it mixes gospel music with the
00:44 classic literature and structure that are that is in the
00:48 Greek plays and it's very interesting. Yeah, you directed this one too. I did. So how was that? It was
00:56 It was quite a challenge, you know, I did the production 20 years ago
01:01 But at that time I had the guidance so to say of the composer and the author used to teach at ASU
01:08 Yeah brewer, so it was a little easier than 20 years ago
01:12 But this time it was more of a challenge made me think a little more
01:16 Yeah, and that is where Rico comes in who's one of the cast members Rico now, who do you play in the production?
01:21 I play the princess Antigone. Yeah, and tell us a little bit of background about her and how she is into this gospel
01:28 Well, it is it is quite the mix when we consider Greek tragedy
01:32 There's always going to be some things that make you want to clutch your pearls and I am one of those characters
01:38 My father is the king
01:40 But when you come to see the play you learn that there's been a few things the way that we got here is a very
01:46 Very interesting. He's my father, but also my brother
01:50 Yes, it will make you do that, right?
01:52 I am very protective of my father of the legacy and and what he stands for
01:59 And so that's what you sense from this and my character is pivotal in as much as she just ties together
02:05 Those pieces to help help propel the story along the way I get also one part of the story is the costumes
02:12 Oh, yeah play a very big part of it where you are wearing yours right now
02:15 and so that is something that again is a part of the
02:18 Storyline that people need to pay attention to because they will see different parts of the gospel in those costumes, right? It is
02:25 Dependent on the costuming for the translation of the
02:31 African-american
02:33 Pentecostal church and Greek tragedy it is we have Greek Roman temples on stage and
02:41 Marble columns and that sort of thing, but all of the costuming has an African base to it
02:47 By Joshua Walker, so it's very very good mixture very difficult to yeah
02:53 Rico when you saw these costumes and putting them on how did that make you feel?
02:58 Every time I put this on I smiled from the inside out
03:03 Joshua Walker and David was very very blessed to get him from Chicago
03:09 Actually, and he served in a different production and his costumes are just
03:13 Perfect for each of us and it is important when you're on stage to feel comfortable in what you're wearing
03:19 And he makes sure that each of us does even though David gives him his ideas and he designs things
03:24 He makes sure that each of the actors and actresses feel very comfortable in what they're wearing without taking away from the production
03:31 I like this. Well the production closes this weekend
03:35 Final performance is 2/30 at the Tempe Center for the Arts
03:39 And then we go right into Black Nativity December 8th
03:43 That's how I was gonna say that one is that's very nice. And is that already cast all ready to go?
03:47 Um, it's all ready to go. Well, we're in rehearsals right now Rico. Are you a part of this one, too?
03:52 I am not a part of that one for me coming up in the spring in the spring
03:56 So that's also to the new seasons ready David ready to go. You guys are very excited about it. I like it
04:01 well informations on the screen on how you can see of course this production that's finishing up this coming at weekend and
04:08 Get ready for the Christmas time with the Black Nativity that it's gonna be amazing David Rico. Thanks for joining us. Thanks for having us
04:14 Thank you. All right back with more mix right after this
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