LIFESTYLE Arena’s ‘American Prophet’: Majestic, Mesmerizing – A Tour de Force
Writings, Speeches of Frederick Douglass Come Alive in World-Premiere Musical D. Kevin McNeir WI Senior Editor In this pivotal moment in America’s history in which constitutional rights and decades-old notions of privilege, power and supremacy continue to be
reexamined, refuted and rescinded, the words of Frederick Douglass have fittingly come roaring back in a world premiere musical, “American Prophet.” Appearing now through August 28 at Arena Stage in Southwest, the mes-
Set in our nation’s turbulent past of 1851 through 1865 with flashbacks to Douglass’ formative years, the play opens as Cornelius Smith, Jr. (Frederick Douglass), in his Arena Stage debut, unequivocally states, “I have no love for America.” ...
5 Cornelius Smith, Jr. (Frederick Douglass) in American Prophet which continues through August 28 at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. (Photo courtesy Margot Schulman)
merizing musical features the speeches and writing of Douglass, along with a sizzling score replete with new melodies and an original script penned by
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Charles Randolph-Wright (Arena’s “Born for This: The BeBe Winans Story,” Broadway’s “Motown the Musical”)and songwriter Marcus Hummon. Set in our nation’s turbulent past of 1851 through 1865 with flashbacks to Douglass’ formative years, the play opens as Cornelius Smith Jr. (Frederick Douglass), in his Arena Stage debut, unequivocally states, “I have no love for America,” before launching into the song, “What Does Freedom Look Like?” As he further explores this newfound notion for those like Douglass born into slavery, or even if free men
and women, still live in fear – treated more like property than people – the song asks us to consider what does freedom move like, sound like while declaring that one of the most essential characteristics of freedom remains “it never leaves someone behind.” Smith delivers a breathtaking performance in word and song bearing the kind of countenance and gaze that one might imagine Douglass wore and exuded with little or no effort. When he abandons his slave name of Bailey and chooses Douglass both for himself and his wife, Anna, the
PROPHET Page 33
WORLD-PREMIERE MUSICAL
AMERICAN PROPHET
FREDERICK DOUGLASS IN HIS OWN WORDS
NOW PLAYING 32 AUGUST 4 - 10, 2022
ARENASTAGE.ORG 202-488-3300
5 Thomas Adrian Simpson (Abraham Lincoln/Garrison) and Cornelius Smith, Jr. in American Prophet which continues through August 28 at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. (Photo courtesy Margot Schulman)
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