By Darlene Donloe
Contributing Writer
SANTA MONICA — WORDTheatre will host a tribute to noted Black poet and social activist Langston Hughes at 7:30 pm. Sept. 13 at the New Roads School’s Moss Theater.
“A WORDTheatre Tribute to Langston Hughes: Stories, Poems, Jazz, & the Blues” will be performed by a cast of actors and musicians bringing to life the words of Hughes. Among the actors taking part are Marla Gibbs, Ryan Michelle Bathe, Eugene Byrd, Charles Parnell, Marianne Jean Baptiste, Dohn Norwood, James Pickens Jr., L. Scott Caldwell, Tracie Thoms, Spencer Garrett and Jan Munroe.
The script, curated by WORDTheatre Artistic Director Cedering Fox, is presented with permission from the Langston Hughes estate.
Fox, an event and theater producer, director and voice-over announcer, was introduced to the simplicity and power of hearing great writing brought to life while working with Darrell Larson at Literary Evenings at The Met in Los Angeles. After partnering with NPR radio station KCRW on several literary programs, she founded WORDTheatre in 2003.
“I do these kinds of programs because, to me, the combination of a great actor stepping into a great story is so powerful,” Fox said. “When it’s about the actor, it’s the best. No visual stimuli, just a beautiful voice engaged with great words and great acting talent.”
Fox, who readily praises the cast, points specifically to the participation of Marla Gibbs.
“She is 93 years old,” Fox said. “She is fantastic. She sounds the same as when I started working with her 12 years ago. Stellar actors like Marla Gibbs, who will be doing “Crystal Stairs,” and James Pickens Jr., who will be doing “Democracy,” make me obsessed with these shows.”
Fox said selecting Hughes as the focus of WORDTheatre’s latest programming was a no-brainer.
“Hughes has honed every word,” said Fox who also produced the Jazz Re-Evolution at The Ford Theatre in July 2023. “He’s so thoughtful. It’s fine work. People will laugh and cry. They will be holding their hearts and the hands of the people next to them. Langston goes deep. And let’s not forget, the music in the show, by these incredible musicians, is amazing.”
The music is led by musical director Starr Parodi (piano), and is played by the Jazz All-Stars including Bernie Dresel (drums), Chris Gray (trumpet), Logan Richardson (saxophone), Nedra Wheeler (bass), and Amy Keys (vocals).
James Mercer Langston Hughes was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright and columnist from Joplin, Missouri. He is one of the earliest innovators of the literary art form called jazz poetry, and is best known for writing 11 plays and countless works of prose including the “Simple” books, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” “I, Too,” “Harlem,” “A Dream Deferred,” “Mother to Son,” “The Weary Blues,” and “Not Without Laughter.” He also co-wrote the play “Mule Bone” with Zora Neale Hurston.
“I chose Langston when I started investigating his work,” said Fox, who has been doing these kinds of shows for 30 years. “He knew something. Think about it. He died 60 years ago. Too little has changed. Things don’t change fast enough. Langston’s words are still relevant today.”
Actor Gary Dourdan, who has been working with WORDTheatre for 15 years, agrees with Fox.
“Whenever Langston Hughes is coming up, I’m quick to jump on that,” said Dourdan, best known for portraying Warrick Brown on the television series, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” and also appearing in “Being Mary Jane,” “CSI: Vegas,” and “A Different World.” “He is our premiere poet. I love his stories. I’m proud to be saying his words and bringing him alive.”
Asked if he has a favorite poem, play or essay by Hughes, Dourdan quickly recites, “Who But The Lord” by heart — revealing he hadn’t recited it in years.
“It’s on my heart,” said Dourdan. “It says so much. It reflects what’s going on today. Langston stands the test of time. The power of the word is so important. You can read his poems right now and see how it echoes right now.”
Actress Tracie Thoms calls Hughes, “the voice of a generation.”
“I love reading his works out loud,” Thoms said. “I’ve been reading his works all my life. He was the cornerstone of the Harlem Renaissance. To know about that moment is to know our history as a people. “WORDTheatre is a beautiful organization,” Thoms added. “I love that marriage of performance, storytelling, and literature.”
Thoms, who has been working with WORDTheatre for 12 years, said she doesn’t have a favorite work of Hughes.
“I really don’t, she said. “Every time I read one of his poems, stories or essays, it becomes my favorite. He had a profound understanding of our culture. He had hope of where we could go as a people.”
Both Dourdan and Thoms encourage the public to see the show.
“They will be moved and invigorated,” said Thoms, who has appeared in “Cold Case,” “Rent,” “Truth Be Told,” “Station 19,” “9-1-1,” “The Devil Wears Prada” and more. “The jazz is beautiful, the words are so beautiful and moving. They will see amazing performers who will transport the audience. It’s an amazing fusion of music and jazz.
“I’m moved on stage listening to these people say these words. The organization does a glorious job of reaching people with these words. It’s about building bridges and connecting with people. I think everyone will be moved.”
“Ever since COVID, we have been losing our cultural performances,” Dourdan said. “To have the words of some great poets and live jazz music is a great combination. It’s something that people should run to. This is not a lost art. We are giving tribute. This is important for our heritage. We need to speak these words and say his name. This is the way of the African griot.”
Before the performance, from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m., guests receive complimentary parking in the lot and a pre-show party on the front lawn. Food trucks will be on site beginning at 5:30 p.m., with music provided by A-Man the DJ.
Books by Langston Hughes will be for sale courtesy of Small World Books and drinks and WORDTheatre T-shirts will be available for purchase.
Volunteer opportunities and voter registration will be available on-site with the West L.A. Democratic Club.
WORDTheatre is a nonprofit organization with a mission to ignite curiosity, compassion and conversation with compelling performances featuring great actors who bring the world’s finest writing to life.
The New Roads School’s Moss Theater is located at 3131 Olympic Blvd, Santa Monica. Tickets range from $25 to $50.
Darlene Donloe is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers who covers South Los Angeles. She can be reached at ddonloe@gmail.com.
