Cast of New Horizon Theater’s The Green Book: left to right seated are Richard Dickson, Tajionna Anderson, Karla C. Payne, Dominique Briggs. Standing are Nikolas Page, Sam Lothard, Cole Vecchio. (Photos by Richena Brockinson)
by Genea L. Webb
For New Pittsburgh Courier
The Green Book holds special historical significance in the life of Lundeana M. Thomas.
“When I was a little girl, I went to Mississippi in the 1950s with my father,” she told the New Pittsburgh Courier. “I remember he dressed up in a suit and he drove at night. The police stopped him because they said he was zig-zagging on the road. They found a gun in the car and asked my dad if he was registered to have the gun—he was—and they took him to jail. We kids had to pick cotton to raise money for him to get out of jail. His bail was $250. I remember being traumatized.”
When she saw the film, “The Green Book,” memories of that agonizing time came flooding to the forefront of her memory.
“I knew it was something sorely needed. It was a necessity that served its purpose. In many ways it was a lifeline,” said Thomas, a Youngstown, Ohio, native. Thomas cited the late Vernell Lillie as a mentor and who has directed more than 75 productions including shows at the National Black Theatre Festival, Beijing China and Singapore.
When New Horizon Theater Inc., asked her to direct the Calvin Alexander Ramsey-penned play for its Black History Month production, Thomas jumped at the opportunity.
“I’m going to make sure this is a play that people are going to enjoy. We are in an epidemic and people are doing a lot to go see the play and I will make sure they are entertained,” explained Thomas, who previously directed “The Ballad of Emmet Till” for New Horizon Theater.
Dominique Briggs, Richard Dickson
“The Green Book” is a play that sheds light on a time in America when Jim Crow and separate but equal was the law of the land. Travel and accommodations for Blacks were complex and full of uncertainty. The Negro Motorist Green Book, a manual directing Blacks to “safe” restaurants, hotels and gas stations, was published from 1936 to 1963. This now-obscure guide was once widely used to shield Blacks from segregated facilities in the South and throughout the country. Interviews with scores of elderly African Americans recalled emotions of peril and fear while traveling is what Maryland-born playwright Ramsey sought to capture in his play. It allows those born after the Civil Rights bills were passed to look back upon a not-so-pleasant time in American history.
Sam Lothard, Karla C. Payne
“The Green Book” play had its world premiere at Atlanta’s Theatrical Outfit to many sold-out performances. It was a finalist in the 12th annual Last Frontier Theater Conference in Alaska in 2004.
Thomas was the perfect person to direct New Horizon’s production of “The Green Book.”
Karla C. Payne, Tajionna Anderson
“Lundeana has this connection to it through her father,” said New Horizon Theater Inc., chairperson Joyce Meggerson-Moore. “She is very close to us. This is New Horizon’s 30th anniversary and we are midway through that. This year was tough, and we want people to know that we are here, and we need their continued support to remain a viable part of the community and we try to bring the best to them.”
New Horizon Theater Inc., was recently named one of Pittsburgh’s Cultural Treasures and is working hard to live up to the honor.
“We want to be the best that we can,” Meggerson-Moore said.
“The Green Book” will run at the Homewood Carnegie Library Auditorium, 7101 Hamilton Ave., from Feb. 4-20. There are evening performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and matinee shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m.
(Tickets are $25 general admission; $20 student rate and seniors 65 and over; $15 school-aged students (K-12). Group rates available for 10 or more. To purchase tickets call 412-431-0773, email newhorizontheater@yahoo.com or visit Dorsey’s Digital Imaging on Frankstown Avenue or go online to brownpapertickets.com.)