When the name Hattie McDaniel is mentioned, the movie “Gone With the Wind” and the character of Mammy immediately come to mind.
But McDaniel is much more than her Oscar-winning maid performance and New Horizon Theater is out to show audiences all of McDaniel’s nuances with the dramatic comedy, “Hi Hat Hattie,” which is the second installment but first production in the theater’s 20th year season.
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HATTIE MCDANIEL and SHAUNYCE OMAR
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“It’s appropriate for Black History Month. Those people who know her will see what she went through,” explained Joyce Meggerson-Moore, New Horizon Theater chairperson. “This is a real person being portrayed and people will get to see her from another side. This is a musical biography. McDaniel was a lot more than the character of Mammy that she played.”
Born in Wichita, McDaniel was the first African-American to win an Academy Award. She scored the best supporting actress nod for her role as Mammy in the 1939 blockbuster “Gone With the Wind.” She appeared in more than 300 films throughout her career, although she was only given credit for about 80 of the roles, McDaniel didn’t let that get her down. She was a professional singer, comedian, songwriter, stage actress and was the first Black woman to sing on American radio.
The delightful actress has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame one for the strides she made in the radio business and another for her motion picture contributions. In 1975 McDaniel was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame. She is the first Black Oscar winner to be placed on a U.S. postage stamp.
“The NAACP thought the roles she took perpetuated the stereotypes about Black people, but she was just acting. She was talented all around. ‘Hi Hat Hattie’ will give people the chance to see Hattie through her own eyes,” Meggerson-Moore said.
With obstacles like that, anyone playing the coveted role of McDaniel should feel a bit daunted. However, Seattle-based actress Shaunyce Omar is up for the challenge.
“She was the first Black person to win an Oscar and that grabbed my attention because Hattie obtained it and she paved the way for us,” Omar said. “I love doing biographies because what better way to learn about someone than to step into their shoes. I try to be as genuine as possible. I try to paint the pictures for audiences to see less of me and more of the person I’m playing.”
To prepare for the role, Omar viewed videos on YouTube and she watched “Gone With the Wind” numerous times to pick up McDaniels’ vibe and mannerisms. This is not the first time Omar has performed as Hattie McDaniel. She performed a rendition of “Hi Hat Hattie” last Spring in Houston. The show ran for a week and earned Omar acclaim. The week-long production was directed by Eileen Morris who will also be directing New Horizon’s version.
“Hi Hat Hattie” was written by Larry Parr and directed by Morris. Henry L. Biggs is serving as the production’s musical director.
“I’m hoping that the spirit of Hattie will come across to the Pittsburgh audience. I want to show that Hattie was vulnerable and clearly troubled but she was powerful and she had a lot of dreams,” Omar said.
“Hi Hat Hattie” will run at Lawrenceville’s Greybox Theater from Feb. 9-19. The production is funded in part by The Heinz Endowments, The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, PA Council on the Arts and the Allegheny Regional Asset District.
Following “Hi Hat Hattie,” New Horizon will continue to celebrate its 20-year anniversary by presenting its annual event with a concert, which is tentatively scheduled for the first Saturday in May. A venue has yet to be chosen.
“We want someone really special for our 20th anniversary,”Meggerson-Moore said.
Staying true to presenting plays set to music, New Horizon will end its 20th season with the Joe Plummer-penned “Nothing But the Blues.” from May 24 to June 3. New Horizon has had success with several of Plummer’s plays in the past including “Joe Tex” and “Get Ready.”
“We have a good volunteer core and we just persevere and we live within what we can do,” explained Meggerson-Moore when asked how the theater has survived for two decades. “We weren’t faced with going under when funding got low. We have a good product, steady timing and a good volunteer core and that keeps us afloat.”
New Horizon Theater, Inc. was founded by Elva Branson and a group of dedicated artists who had numerous discussions about a need for venues for African-American performers. The theater was founded with the mission to bring the greater Pittsburgh area consistent, high-quality events that showcase points of view of Blacks and to provide an ongoing place for ethnic writers and performers to move forward in their professional development.
In 1992, the theater held a play per season and gradually moved up to four productions per season. It received its 501c3 status in 1997. Ernest McCarty served as New Horizon’s Artistic Director from 1994 to 2008. New Horizon has helped more than 300 people in all phases of theater production realize their dreams.
Some productions that New Horizon Theater has put on over the past 20 years include “Home” by Samm-Art Williams, “Love Spirit” by Ernest McCarty, “The Colored Museum” by George C. Wolfe, “Checkmates” by Ron Milner, “Jar The Floor” by Cheryl West, “Ma Noah” by Mark Clayton Southers, “Sisters” by Marsha A. Jackson, “Robert Johnson: Trick The Devil” by Bill Harris, and “Freeman in Paris” by Herb Newsome.
“We’ve reached another milestone and that is special, but all the years have been special,” Meggerson-Moore said. “We are special because our volunteer core is gelling now. Everyone is excited about our productions and that makes a difference. We’re like a machine that is well oiled. Everyone has a role.”
(For more information on “Hi Hat Hattie” or to purchase tickets, contact New Horizon Theater at 412-431-0773.)
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