Full of human emotions, FAMU’s Essential Theater brings us Spunk, directed by Reggie Kelly, who also brought us Five Guys named Moe.
Written by Zora Neale Hurston and adapted by George C. Wolfe, the play contains three different tales of the gains and struggles of black Americans.
The dramatized tales were set in the vaudevillian touring circuit of the 1920s and 30s, Kelly said.
In Spunk, there is an ensemble of six people who have roles in each tale.
The six actors are Prince T. Bowie, April O’Bryant, Billy Rigsby, Eunice Johnson Saunders, Alfred Thomas, and Dean Wilson.
In the first tale, “Sweat,” a young laundress is living with her abusive husband.
The couple is married for 15 years and his abusiveness leads her to higher spirits into order to stop the abuse.
In the comical tale, “Story in Harlem Slang,” a country boy traves to New York to find wealth and fortune.
Not quite finding legal wealth, he employs himself as a prostitute.
“The Gilded Six Bits” brings us an adoring, young couple, who demonstrate nothing but affection toward each other.
After living blissfully, a wealthy man comes into town and the wife’s naivete allows her to look for other ways to make her husband love her. Of course, this brings about betrayal.
“These issues are everyday issues. The plays were written in the ’20s but they are parallel to the content of today’s society,” Kelly said.
Kelly assures the audience will have a lot of fun at this play.
“There is great acting and people will be captivated with the art of storytelling.”
Spunk, which started Wednesday, can still be seen today through Saturday at 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets for FAMU students are free with ID.
Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for non-FAMU students.
For information, contact the FAMU Essential Theatre at 561-2425.