In addition to the conversations between Paige and Gibson, there were also photos showcasing big events of the times and songs, which ranged from Negro spirituals to jook-joint jumping, finger-popping ditties provided by The Music Man, who was portrayed beautifully by seasoned actor Kevin Brown.
The character of Hattie, who was portrayed by the fantastic Jaquea Olday, was a mysterious woman who flitted in and out of the story looking for Gibson. It was unclear if she was one of his many lovers, or his mother or aunt. Another mystery in the production is the way Gibson died. The play seemed to say he died from a broken heart and/or a heart attack.
Gibson was posthumously inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.
Despite the inconsistencies in “Josh: The Black Babe Ruth,” the production brought Gibson’s life and struggle to younger generations.
“I’ve been writing plays off and on for eight years now,” said New York-based actor and playwright Michael A. Jones. “I wanted to share African American history because I think history answers a lot of questions to current issues that we’re dealing with. There was a real struggle then and there’s still a real struggle now.”
And that’s why New Horizon Theater chairperson Joyce Meggerson-Moore chose the play as part of its 25th season cycle of plays.
“We chose it because it show’s both sides of what was happening then and what’s happening now,” Meggerson-Moore said. “There’s a lot going on in our society and it’s up to all of us to make things move forward in a positive light.”
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