Actors Norm Lewis and Eugene Lee speak about the play, their characters and more.
The North American tour of “A Soldier’s Play” made its premiere at the Center Theatre Group / Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 23, and will play until June 25.
Written by American playwright Charles Fuller, “A Soldier’s Play” takes place on a Louisiana Army base in 1944 when a shooting results in the death of a Black sergeant. What follows is a series of interrogations and a deeper look into the identity of America.
Starring Norm Lewis and Eugene Lee, “A Soldier’s Play” is directed by Tony Award winner and Roundabout Theatre Company’s Senior Resident Director, Kenny Leon. The Sentinel had a chance to speak with Lewis and Lee as they shared a little bit about themselves and the play.
“It is a reflection of my ancestors and reminds me, and all of us, how we still have to make space for Black voices to be heard,” said Lewis about “A Soldier’s Play.” A Grammy, Tony, and SAG Award nominee, Lewis stars as Captain Richard Davenport.
“He is a very eager lawyer given the task that he’s been handed,” said Lewis about his character. “Up until then, he’s only been military police.”
Lewis continued, “He is someone who is overqualified for the job that he’s been doing, so being presented this opportunity is a defining moment for him and his career.”
“Sargent Waters is the victim in this ‘who done it’ who’s character as seen through and by his men and other soldiers, comes to light to assist in finding the culprit,” said Lee. A Broadway, TV and film star, Leeoriginated the role of Corporal Bernard Cobb in the original 1981 Off-Broadway production of the play.He stars as Sergeant Vernon C. Waters in this current production.
Lee grew up in Fort Worth Texas and is a graduate of Southwest Texas State University. He shared about the moment he knew he wanted to be an actor “when a White high school drama teacher told me she would put a ‘White bit up there in Black face!’”
When asked about what he likes most about acting, Lee shared, “I like the fact that I never know what my next job will ask me to know.”
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“I love the journeys that acting takes me on and the storytelling provides,” said Lewis about why he loves acting.
Born in Eatonville, Florida, he attended Lake City Community College and Rollins College majoring in Business. He knew earlier on that he had a future in acting.
“I didn’t know until my senior year of high school, after I joined the choir and met other artists,” said Lewis.
Lewis and Lee invite everyone to come and see this one-of-a-kind stage play, which is sure to captivate and compel. They shared what they hope the audience will walk away with after seeing “A Soldier’s Play.”
“Folks can expect to leave with more than they bring to the experience of this play,” said Lee.
Lee continued, “an insight into the African American experience historically and culturally and insight into the common denominators with every human condition.”
“Expect change,” said Lewis. “They should expect to walk away with open minds and just a small taste of the experience Black soldiers endured during World War II.”
“A Soldier’s Play” opened on Broadway for the first time on Jan. 21, 2020 at Roundabout Theatre Company’s American Airlines Theatre, which is 40 years after it was written. The acclaimed production has been nominated for seven Tony Awards and three Drama Desk Awards, winning Best Revival for both.
The cast includes Will Adams as Corporal Bernard Cobb, Brandon Alvión as an understudy, Sheldon D. Brown as Private C.J. Memphis, Malik Esoj Childs as Private Tony Smalls, Ja’Quán Cole as an understudy, William Connell as Captain Charles Taylor, Charles Everett as an understudy, Alex Michael Givens as Corporal Ellis, Matthew Goodrich as Captain Wilcox, Chattan Mayes Johnson as Lieutenant Byrd, Branden Davon Lindsay as Private Louis Henson, Tarik Lowe as Private First-Class Melvin Peterson, Al’Jaleel McGhee as an understudy, Howard W. Overshown as Private James Wilkie, and Alex Ross as an understudy.
The tour of “A Soldier’s Play” is produced by Roundabout Theatre Company and Tamar Climan. Joining director Leon for the tour of Roundabout Theatre Company’s “A Soldier’s Play” is the Broadway design team that includes Derek McLane (sets), Dede Ayite (costumes), Allen Lee Hughes (lights), Dan Moses Schreier (sound) and Cristina Angeles (associate director). The tour stage management team is John Atherlay and RL Campbell. The company management team is Frank Lott and Jordan Lingreen.
Tickets are on sale and start at $40. They are available through Audience Services at (213) 972-4400 or in person at the Center Theatre Group Box Offices at the Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center located at135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012. Performances run Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Performances run Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
For more information, please visit CenterTheatreGroup.org
