Started in the early ‘70s, Theatre North
Now, Theatre North brings another
story about himself and a white soldier
was organized in order to give African
of Wilson’s classics to Tulsa: “Jitney.” Set
fighting in Vietnam. Suddenly the two
American actors a chance at the valuable
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1977, it
were fired on by the enemy and had to
roles that they had been denied in the
tells the story of a jitney cab company
work together despite their differences.
past. In 1977, Maybelle Wallace got
trying to survive. Jitneys were unofficial,
That, he says, changed him.
involved by accident, taking her daughter
unlicensed taxi services operating out
to rehearsals and eventually becoming
of Black communities because licensed
America was trying to find themselves in
the executive director.
taxi services would not serve Black
the ‘70s and a new Black consciousness
communities.
was forming. “’Jitney’ explores that,” says
According to Wallace, Theatre North “for many, many years, and possibly
As gentrification finds its way to the
According to Minor, everyone in
Minor. “We are all people, regardless of
even now, is the only Black community
Black community, the jitney company
race, creed or color. We all come from the
theatre in Tulsa, Oklahoma. And we
owners find themselves trying to hold
same cloth and want the same things,” he
have raised the consciousness in Tulsa,
onto their building and their community.
says. He adds, “There is no difference. We
Oklahoma, concerning the Black
It is, according to Wallace, a problem
are all human, and the sooner we realize
experience in America.”
that still persists to this day.
that, the better.” “Jitney” helps to tell that
As part of that journey toward raising
The play will be directed by Willie
story — a human story about survival in
the collective consciousness, Theatre
Minor Jr., who has made quite a name
North has often used the works of
for himself nationally as an actor,
August Wilson, whom the New York
director and more. Originally brought
Times called the “theatre’s poet of Black
to Tulsa to direct another Theatre North
Presented by Theatre North
America.” Wilson’s works have meant a
production, “Greenwood: An American
February 12, 19 at 8 p.m.
great deal of success for Theatre North,
Dream Destroyed,” he returns to direct
February 13 at 2 p.m.
including their Tate Award win for
this important piece.
February 20 at 3 p.m.
“Seven Guitars.”
10
F ebr u a r y 2022 I N T E R M IS SION
A Vietnam veteran, Minor recalls a
difficult times.
Jitney
LIDDY DOENGES THEATRE
