Theater Review: The Amen Corner

SARASOTA – Let the church say, amen! The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe invites you to a service you’ll never forget with The Amen Corner, a play written by James Baldwin, the iconic novelist, essayist and playwright who grew up in Harlem during the early 20th century and is best known for his honest discussions on race and social issues at the height of the American Civil Rights Movement.

The Amen Corner stars Syreeta Banks as Margaret Alexander and features a talented supporting cast directed by Chuck Smith.

The play opens with a very animated church service. The members are singing praises with perfectly harmonized choruses while they wait for the minister to come forth. To my surprise, a woman dressed in a superior robe, comes to the podium, a rare sight in 1954, when the play was written.

Amazingly, no one objects or even bats an eye at the minister’s gender, most likely because Margaret commands the congregation with fervor and power. She is a gifted and no nonsense speaker who makes it clear she will not compromise the word of God, no matter the reason.

When the Boxers (Patric Robinson and Ariel Blue) ask for her blessing in accepting a liquor delivery driver job for Mr. Boxer, she puts her foot down; strongly urging them to decline the job because it would lead him or others to sin.

Banks really gives this character depth, showing that pastoring a church can take you through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Banks was able to convey the responsibility of what one who leads a conventional church can experience. At times, Margaret comes off as self-righteous, most likely because she wants to be the example she so forcefully exacts.

Margaret’s son, David, (Brian L. Boyd) plays piano for the church, and she desires that he too will dedicate his life to ministry. Unbeknownst to her, David has other plans.

A surprise visit from Margaret’s sick and estranged jazz musician husband, Luke (Joel P.E. King), only emboldens David’s ambitions and forces Margaret to confront her past while her meddling church looks on.

Luke is no Christian and has no desire to become one, much to Margaret’s chagrin. He isn’t one of her church members that she can easily persuade.

King does a great job portraying the wayward musician and absent father. Although difficult, it’s hard to view Luke as a villain, and one could emphasize with his resistance to the church.

There are many funny moments throughout the production. Sieglinda Fox and Yve Lyles, who play Sister Moore and Odessa, respectively, share some of the play’s funniest scenes. Their banter back and forth about purity was pretty hilarious.

The rest of the cast includes Brentney J, Michael Kinsey, Carvas Pickens, Jai Shanae, Khadija Sallet, Lonnetta Gaines and Elaine Mayo.

The hair and wardrobe of the characters is impressive. I can only imagine the time spent perfecting the casts’ authentic looks. Hats off to Travis McCure and Michael Alan Stein.

Sound reinforcement needs a little tweaking. It was difficult hearing some of the characters properly but that’s an easy adjustment.

With February being Black History Month, and the renewed popularity of James Baldwin, whose screen-adapted novel If Beale Street Could Talk is currently playing in theaters to critical acclaim, The Amen Corner is a timely addition to the 2018-2019 WBTT season and a great inside look into James Baldwin’s literary world.

For tickets, go to www.westcoastblacktheatre.org or call the box office at 941-366-1505.