Human Race presents regional premiere of ‘Thurgood’

The life, career and influence of Thurgood Marshall, the Supreme Court’s first African-American Justice, proves inspirational and thought-provoking in George Stevens, Jr.’s 2008 drama “Thurgood.”

Starring Alan Bomar Jones, the one-man play will have its regional premiere courtesy of the Human Race Theatre Company beginning previews Thursday, April 27 in advance of its opening Friday, April 28 inside the intimate, 54-seat Caryl D. Philips Creativity Center.

Directed by Human Race Resident Artist Scott Stoney, “Thurgood” chronicles Marshall’s rise from his childhood in Baltimore, to Howard University law school, to his victories challenging segregation in the South, and ultimately gaining a seat on the Court in 1967, a benchmark in American history during the tumultuous Civil Rights Movement.

“When I was growing up, all we seemed to hear about was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but (key matters) in integration particularly grew from Thurgood Marshall’s legacy,” said Jones, a Human Race Resident Artist whose string of credits over the past 20 years with the company include “Race,” “Permanent Collection” and “A Christmas Carol.”

“Thurgood’s work in the courtroom was huge. I’m amazed that he is Mr. Civil Rights. As an African-American man, I’m so proud to be able to portray him. He really was just as important as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”

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Having appeared in over 70 productions, Jones is no stranger to the world of one-man shows, including “Nelson Mandela: His Journey” and “Lewis Clarke: My Brother Milton.” He says the most formidable challenge is finding distinctions between him and the character.

"It's so easy to become a caricature," Jones said. "But my job is to find a right balance. Watching past interviews of Thurgood, I noticed he has a great sense of humor but also a stern quality as well. In his later years, he grew somewhat of a protective shield of not being afraid or intimidated. I have to bring all of his mannerisms and cadences, the transitions of ages and experiences, to this project which is an exciting challenge as an actor. There is also a fine line between lecturing and taking an audience into the journey, but I particularly want to take the audience into the courtroom."

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Stevens, creator of the illustrious Kennedy Center Honors and the son of legendary Academy Award-winning director George Stevens (“A Place in the Sun,” “Giant”), made his Broadway playwrighting debut with “Thurgood,” which starred Laurence Fishburne. Stevens’ fascination with Marshall’s legacy primarily stemmed from his creation of “Separate But Equal,” the 1991 Emmy Award-winning miniseries he wrote and directed spotlighting the famous Brown vs. Board of Education school desegregation case on which Marshall was the lawyer for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Jones finds the script to be a “great roller coaster ride” with eye-opening revelations he hopes audiences will enjoy throughout its 90 minutes.

"What Thurgood Marshall did for America in the courtroom made it possible for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to do what he did outside the courtroom," Jones said. "It was certainly great that Thurgood became a Supreme Court Justice, but that seems to be the only thing people focus on. Not many people know how he got to the Court. It was a well-deserved journey and people need to know why."


WANT TO GO?

What: "Thurgood"

Where: Caryl D. Philips Creativity Center, 116 N. Jefferson St., Second Floor, Dayton

When: April 27-May 14; 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday evenings; 2 p.m. Sundays

Cost: $25. Seating is general admission. There will be no late seating. Patrons are advised to arrive early. There is no intermission.

Tickets: Call (937) 228-3630 or visit www.humanracetheatre.org or ticketcenterstage.com

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