http://www.mikewileyproductions.com/play_parchman.html
I remember throughout all of the lessons we were taught in school on the Civil Rights struggle, one thing that was always mentioned, but rarely discussed in depth, were the “freedom riders”. This event, along with others, like the full story of Malcolm X and the more violent pre-50s lynchings, was not ignored I think due to ignorance, but instead simply because of the complicated nature behind it. Malcolm X has a very complex story. The gruesomely violent era is almost too much to teach high school students (even if they are desensitized). The freedom riders also have such complexity behind them that to teach about them would take an entire class alone. Or one docu-theater play by Mike Wiley.
Framed around the members of the freedom rides and their stay in Parchman penitentiary, this play examines both the events and the complexities that define it. The riders were of mixed ages, races, genders, and beliefs, amounting to a rare true sense of diversity. Their time in prison is marked with humor, sadness, infighting, and realization. A lot of this comes to us, the audience, through their enactment of the “radio show” broadcasted through the prison, the “Parchman Hour”. The cast, themselves diverse and blurring gender/racial lines in their portrayal, showcase this comedy and sadness to great effect. The ideas of Joe Lewis and Stokely Carmichael, as portrayed in the play, could not have been more different. Lewis spoke of Gandhi, the Lord, and peace through suffering. Carmichael spoke of Government, asked where Christ was in all this, and peace until violence is necessary. In a way, this was the debate of the entire civil rights movement. Also, the conflict between the white Harvard student and Carmichael as to why he is really there, and whether it is to serve a passing fad or to make change was conflicting, yet interesting.
The play included only a background projector, benches, and a simple three piece band, but had more energy than most lavish productions. It included singing, dance, performance, and comedy to try and give a complete picture, not in image but in emotion, of the Freedom Ride events. It was the first docutheater performance I had ever seen, or heard of, and is exactly what you would think it would be. It is a portrayal, mostly accurate in nature but always accurate in emotion, of an event that focuses on the complexity of the people involved. It showed Martin Luther King as someone who was not always idolized, not always perfect. It showcased the pro-segregation groups of Mississippi not as demon individuals, but sad tortured people who are raised in a culture of intolerance, and continue it. Yet it also showed spiritual strength, above all else, perseveres. Ideas of justice and equality always outlast and outshine ideas of hate and segregation.
With that said, the play suffered from minor technical setbacks, notably sound, though I suspect that is more the microphone's fault than the cast. The time jumps in the storyline (moving non-linearly) sometimes distract and cause confusion. At one point, it reverts back to the riders' journey from the previous scene inside the prison, with little to no notion it is doing this.
Mike Wiley’s play was a true delight and a true experience. Almost more enlightening than the event was the question section the cast had after the play, where members of the audience would voice their opinions, praises, and questions of the events and play. Some commented on how they remember seeing those images played in the backdrop live as small children. Others commented on the importance in teaching younger generations about these events. Then more commented on the fantastic job done by both cast and crew. The play no doubt sparked conversations, which is everything it was meant to do.
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