By EBONY CHAPPEL
“The King’s Men: Watchmen on the Wall,” a stage play produced by Mt. Zion Apostolic Church’s drama ministry, debuts April 26.
The play, which is a dramatic portrayal of the heavy issues affecting Black men today, is the latest from veteran playwright and director Debora Hite.
Although the primary theme of the play centers on the necessity of brotherhood in overcoming adversity, Hite shared that a lesson can be taken away concerning women as well.
“We have to learn how to be concerned about one another,” said Hite. “I asked a lot of questions, read some things, and even interviewed a few men and this is what God just put in my spirit to write.”
It is widely known that the Black community, specifically the Christian sect, has created a culture in which men are expected to be Superman-esque at all times, showcasing Rock of Gibraltar-like strength no matter what may be plaguing them internally. Meanwhile, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that suicide is the third leading cause of death, behind homicide and accidents, among African-American males between the ages of 15 and 24.
Gary Randolph, one of the leading actors in “King’s Men,” believes that this play will act as a catalyst for those seeking a change on the inside.
“All men have issues, inside of every man – whether he wants to admit it or not, there’s a little boy who has been carefully collecting words that have been said to him and things that have been done to him,” said Randolph, who plays the role of a successful businessman who is harboring a dark personal secret.
He said when these issues are not openly addressed early on “things start to fall apart” as that little boy grows into a man with a broken spirit and loss of identity as it relates to his community, family and church.
Randolph said authenticity was important as he was urged by Hite to “take ownership of his character.”
“I was allowed to see how (from a spiritual perspective) things in my life had gone astray for 35 years, it took me all the way back to age 5,” said Randolph. “This play has been an awesome vehicle to let people know that ‘hey, you’re not going through this alone.’”
“The King’s Men: Watchmen on the Wall,” is an experience that not just men, but the entire family can enjoy. “You can expect to laugh, to cry – you can expect to leave with your heart and spirit uplifted,” said Hite.
