By Claire DeMarco
“Black Angels Over Tuskegee” is a fictious story about six real life black soldiers and their quest to become aviators during World War II.
Potential recruits Percival (Kenneth Browning), Theodore (Lamar K. Cheston), Elijah (Anthony Goss), Quentin (Layon Gray), Abraham (David Roberts), and Jeremiah (Reginald L. Wilson) meet for the first time in preparation to take the exam that allows them to continue on as potential aviators. Quentin and Abraham are brothers.
Their initial interaction with one another involves backslapping and general information-seeking as they evaluate each other.
Jeremiah is the only recruit who remains aloof. Tired with what he deems as simple banter, he challenges them to think about the upcoming exam. To him it is the essence of success. He does not smile.
Settling down the men begin to prepare for the exam, testing one another in the fine points of airplanes, engines and general flight concepts.
They do get serious about the one thought in all of their minds – how they have to succeed. Success for them is harder to attain, not due to their abilities but because of their race. Between nostalgic conversations about their backgrounds, they talk about the racism they’ve experienced. Jim Crow laws are still in effect at this time.
These six talented black men succeed in their quest to become aviators. They land in Tuskegee, Alabama, become licensed aviators and are sent off to war as part of the famous Tuskegee Airmen. It’s just a shame that they were segregated in war just as they were at home, but what American heroes they were!
This production is well-executed and is well-worth seeing!
Gray is both aggressive as he argues with his brother but is gentle and sympathetic as he talks about his girlfriend and their soon-to-arrive baby.
Roberts is bubbly and excitable, prodding and teasing his brother but carefully watches out for him. He is high energy.
Goss attempts and sometimes successfully lessens the tension between the men. He is more temperate than the others.
Cheston is delightful as the music-loving aviator. His comedy skills are apparent in his pantomime to Billie Holiday’s recording of “God Bless the Child”.
As Percival, Browning is both tender and furious as he retells a story about his young daughter’s school experience with racism.
Wilson’s character is intense and unwavering. His performance is exceptionally riveting as we finally discover why he is aloof and unsmiling.
Collectively the six aviators’ roles require intricate choreographed dancing, fighting and simulated flying. They all do this brilliantly.
Narrator Thaddeus Daniels (Man) provides the background for “Black Angels Over Tuskegee,” relaying each stage of the six aviators journey from exam to training class to actual combat. It’s apparent that he has a particular interest in the six aviators and his narration is both humorous and emotional.
In a small role, P. David Miller plays Major Roberts, the commanding white officer in charge.
Diego Villada (Fight Choreographer) does an excellent job coordinating the many fight scenes and the flight simulations.
“Black Angels Over Tuskegee” was written and directed by Layon Gray.
-CED
“Black Angels Over Tuskegee” runs until October 27 at the Pittsburgh Public Theater’s Helen Wayne Rauh Rehearsal Hall, 621 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.