Lynnwood Undressed

The Regional Premier of “Gee’s Bend” written by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder at Taproot Theatre is Delightful…

The acting is superb…the story profound and ripe for the time…the directing simple, yet brilliant.  It was 90 minutes, with no break or intermission, and I never once grew weary of the action.   

 

There are 5 characters played by 4 actors: Samantha Rund, Faith Russell, Tracy Michelle Hughes and Geoffery Simmons.   They’re a great acting and singing ensemble…all fine actors and singers capable of making us laugh out loud and bring tears to our eyes.  There are many scenes interspersed with spirituals all sung acappella by the 4 actors mostly on a dark stage while changing the simple scenes.  The voices are incredible…I wanted more.

 

Gee’s Bend will play at Taproot Theatre, Wednesday though Saturday, until February 28^th.  The play is fiction but is based on the playwright’s conversations with current residents of Gee’s Bend, Alabama.  The play is broken down into 3 sections based on 3 significant periods of time:  the 1930’s; 1965 when Martin Luther King Jr came to speak at Gee’s Bend, and the year 2000.

 

Gee’s Bend, Alabama was founded by the Gee family in the early 1800’s.  It was sold to a relative of the family, Mark Pettway to settle a $29,000 debt in 1845.  The Pettway’s moved from North Carolina to Gee’s Bend Alabama about a year later.  With them they brought about 100 slaves.  After the slaves were freed they continued to help the Pettway family as planters and sharecroppers.  The Pettway family sold their plantation in the early 1900’s and the former slaves continued to sharecrop the land for the owners. In the 1930’s through public and federal assistance the former slaves were able to buy their land. 

 

The women of Gee’s Bend have always been quilters.  Their quilts are works of art that reflect their courage, strength, self reliance and Christian faith.  They began to sell their quilts in the 1940’s.   The ability to sell their quilts added a great new dimension to their freedom, and self reliance.  They continue to quilt, and today their folk art quilts go for thousands of dollars.  Their quilts are currently on an international tour. They will be on display at Greg Kucera Gallery in Seattle from February 19^th until March 28^th.  

 

On February 18^th the women of Gee’s Bend, Alabama will be at Taproot Theatre for a post play discussion.