The evening light dimmed to an aura of creativity and craftsmanship…elements that have always been embraced by the culture of the African American church. Through powerful readings, the re-enactment of Langston Hughes’ “Tambourines to Glory” lit up the stage of Homewood’s Carnegie Library on June 12.
The fascinating story line, written in 1956, held the audience captive as a tale of friendship told the struggles of love, faith and corruption. Centered around the people of a Harlem street corner, smiles spread as the actors and actresses portrayed their characters with inborn professionalism. The phenomenal cast took the audience from the street corner of falsehood to the building of truth. It was that deception that ignited an explosion of jealousy and anger, thereby opening the door to life-changing reality.
Described as “a sparkling gem,” the delightful “Tambourines to Glory” was portrayed by 14 amazing actors and actresses who lined the library’s stage to tell the compelling story. From out of his own life experiences and unique imagination, Hughes did a magnificent job in his description of the characters of yesterday. Within the church of today, there is no doubt that today’s membership includes those same characters.
There is Birdie (Stevie Akers) whose melody left a lot to be desired, but her warmth and familiarity brought laughter throughout the production. Narrated by the talented Debbie Norrell, two very different friends, Laura (Karla C. Payne) and Essie (Sheila Beasley) were dynamic in their portrayal of a sisterhood that struggled while supporting each other throughout life’s trials. Declaring his “heart as the devil’s playground,” Buddy (Bernard Tench III) left no stone unturned in his portrayal as the conniving evil imposter representative of Satan at its best.
The theatrical performers who shook up the stage included Teri Bridgett, Dominique Briggs, LaMar Darnell Fields, IJasneem, Corey Lankford, Diane Hart Pettis, G. L. Riley, Brandon Wade and Louis Walker. Energy flowed through the crowd as tambourines accompanied the music of guitarist Larry Estes. Tap-dancing his way into everyone’s heart, Robert Eberhardt had no problem capturing the attention of the attendees.
DelRoyce Tatum, a resident of Garfield and a member of the audience who loves the arts, was “impressed with the readings of the actors and actresses.” She enjoyed the concept of the presentations and states “the visualization took me back to the days when we would listen to the radio.”
The production was made possible by Lewis Colyar, founder and executive director of the Langston Hughes Poetry Society of Pittsburgh. “I had been sitting on this play for about a year, and I wanted to do something different,“ he said.
Colyar enlisted well known actor, producer, director, Charles Timbers Jr. “I know that Chuck (Timbers) is involved in bringing up new voices. My philosophy is when going to the mountain, take the village with you.”
Humble, but confident, Timbers stated with excitement. “I don’t believe in coincidences. I had 14 parts to fill. I posted on Facebook and 14 people, all anchored in God, responded. I thank God for this opportunity.”
Timbers’ request did not go unheeded by Karla Payne, who is an admirer of the much loved thespian. “I love Chuck Timbers and anything he needs, I will be there to do it. It was a fun way to tell the story. Langston Hughes is a lover of words and when he writes, there is poetry in the dialogue. It is exciting to see his work presented in a full stage production.”
Sheila B Productions was instrumental in spreading the word of “Tambourine Temple” to the Pittsburgh community. Colyar found a creative way to tell Hughes’ story of the transformation of playing with God to total dependence on God.
The anointed Christians making up the powerful cast summed it up in a song… “If you got a tambourine, shake it to the glory of God.”
