The Actors’ Co-op, now producing Alice Childress’ Trouble in Mind, has been one of Hollywood’s best-kept secrets since it began residency at the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood in 1987. Currently running two 99-seat theatres, the company has grown both in membership and in professionalism. Today, Trouble in Mind provides a shining example.
The play, written in the late 50s, represents a foreshadowing of a racial reckoning that solidified in the later 60s and early 70s. As such it is prescient. Childress introduces her characters when readying for a rehearsal of a new Broadway play. These are high-achieving, gifted African American actors about to create their roles despite it being a demeaning play. We watch as they wrestle with the “Uncle Tom” subject matter and the Simon Legree-like, white director (Spencer Rowe playing Al Manners), who is leading the effort.
Each player handles the situation differently. Millie (Lorinda Hawkins Smith) plays up her persona to fit, while veteran Sheldon Forrester (Rodrick Jean-Charles) takes even indignity in stride. Young John Nevins (Freedom) is excited to have his first starring role, playing opposite the young white, and equally green Judy Sears (Sophia Kalugin). John Marzilli is befuddled by his part as Bill O’Wray, a cracker-type white man in the south, while Brendan Shannon is Eddie, the all-important stage/rehearsal manager. Most significantly, we meet Wiletta Mayer (Kimi Walker), a long-time actress newly assigned to her “mother” role in this play.
Although the chit-chat about the problematic play begins privately, it soon spills over, as Wiletta challenges Al, the director, as he tries to tyrannize the cast into performing the play as it was written. At a key moment, Sheldon is challenged to recall an actual lynching that he experienced, chilling the audience as well as the actors onstage and bringing understanding to Wiletta’s objections to her role.
To bring this production to life, Producer Crystal Yvonne Jackson and Director Kimberly Hébert Gregory assembled a stellar team of designers. Joel Daavid created the suitably crusty rehearsal hall; the vaguely 50s costuming comes from Wendell C. Carmichael with props by Emmett Lee Merritt, and make-up and wigs by Judi Lewin; all awash by the lighting of Martha Carter.
Through the arguments outlined in Childress’s play, we can understand the indignities suffered by African Americans at mid-century that clearly presaged their subsequent struggle for equality. Ultimately, Henry (The incomparable Larry Eisenberg), the sympathetic doorman, tries to comfort Wiletta, asking her to remember the 23rd psalm. Instead, she begins to recite another:
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Although Childress’ message is almost 70 years old now, we all would do well to remember her call.
Trouble in Mind runs through November 10, playing Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 2:30 pm with one additional Saturday matinee on October 19th. All performed at Actors Co-op’s David Schall Theatre, 1760 Gower St., Hollywood 90028 (at the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood). Tickets range from $35 to $25. Call (323) 462-8460. Or for reservations and information go to: actorscoopboxoffice@gmail.com.
