When Orson Welles’ production of “Native Son” appeared in 1941, the public’s response was intense. With its angry antihero and its vision of African-American citizens oppressed by poverty and racism, the script by Paul Green and Richard Wright was seen as a landmark in American theater.
But “Native Son” is rarely produced these days, so it’s refreshing to find an insightful production of the play at The American Century Theater.
Bigger Thomas (Ja-Ben A. Early) is angry with his life from the moment he wakes on the rat-infested floor of the Chicago ghetto room he shares with his family. His mother has the church to keep her from feeling the pain Bigger feels, his sister has her practicality to protect her from feeling it, and his brother has his innocence to protect him.
Bigger’s rage doesn’t dissipate, even when he gets a job as a chauffeur in the home of a millionaire. When that job exposes him to the millionaire’s spoiled, drunken daughter, who throws herself at Bigger, his fury explodes and he commits murder.
Everywhere Green and Wright suggest that there is no single cause for Bigger’s act: The social system has driven him to crime. “Native Son” is a beautifully crafted play, full of irony and rich language; everywhere there are resonant images of heat and cold, light and darkness.
Bob Bartlett skillfully directs a large cast to bring that poetry to life. Early is powerful, sensitive and thoroughly credible as Bigger. Farah Lawa is moving as his devoted girlfriend. Jared Shamberger, Jivon Jackson and Mark McKinnon are effective as Bigger’s friends. Julie Roundtree plays Mary Dalton with a well-defined mix of self-destruction and failed social conscience. The small-minded detective Britten is portrayed with appropriate brutality by Bruce Rausche. Renee Charlow and Iman Hassen are excellent as Bigger’s mother and sister.
One astonishing aspect of this production is its reminder that, although America circa 1941 looks different from America 2009, and though some social advances have been made, too many of the issues that inspired Green and Wright are unfortunately still relevant today.
If you go
‘Native Son’
Where: Theatre II, Gunston Arts Center, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday (2:30 p.m. April 25-26, May 2-3), through May 9
Info: 703-998-4555, americancentury.org
