Yesterday evening I had the pleasure of attending the premiere of Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT)’s newest production, April 4, 1968: Before we Forgot How to Dream and walked away with a story to share.
The play, set in Indianapolis in 1968 focuses on the Fields family, an African-American family of four who continue to find their place in a world where they aren’t always accepted. The story takes an intimate look at Bobby Kennedy’s powerful speech on the night of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination as a vital moment in Indiana’s memory and how the Fields share varying perspectives on the tragic event.
Set on The Upperstage, the show provides an intimate setting where audience members can directly connect with on stage characters as they the portray profound emotions of their characters.
The main story is centered around Geneva, played by Christina D. Harper as she makes her debut in the show, a 16-year-old high school student who is strong willed, opinionated and very passionate about Bobby Kennedy’s presidential campaign. As she deeply desires to get involved in helping Kennedy’s presidency become a reality, her parents, specifically her father, John Henry, played by James T. Alfred., continues to discourage his eldest daughter from getting trapped into what he calls, “politricks.”
Playwright James Still began writing the production nearly 20 years ago and began a process of tracking down real residents who were in Indianapolis the night of Kennedy’s address and simply speaking with them about their experiences.
“For most people that night, Dr. King’s death was news, and Bobby Kennedy was the messenger. I sought the speech out and felt like I had discovered a kind of ‘Gettysburg Address’ for 1968. I knew this event was too enormous to be part of a bigger play…it would be a play all its own,” wrote Still in the playbook.
In the process, Geneva slowly influences her mother Addie, played by Tracy N. Bonner, to learn the importance of voting and contributing your thoughts in opinions to society. She even secretly convinces her father to take a look at his purpose in life. Other characters come alive on stage such as the hilarious Miss Davine, Mike and Johnna Rose.
In an indirect way, the audience becomes tangled into a story of family values while learning a bit of Indianapolis’ history. I found it very interested that publications like the Indianapolis Recorder and radio stations like WTLC, that played a vital role in delivering news to African-Americans, were mentioned (actually, I was very excited about the first one!).
The production shows the hunger young people have to make their voices heard and their votes count. It tells the story of how one event leaves diverse impressions on individuals of a family and community.
Overall, April 4, 1968: Before we Forgot How to Dream is very comical and an emotional story line all people in the Indianapolis community can relate to regardless of if they were present at 17th and Broadway streets, now Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park & Landmark for Peace Memorial or not. It evokes a sense of attachment and pride to the city of Indianapolis through humor, audience interaction and reflection.
To purchase tickets to April 4, 1968: Before we Forgot How to Dream, on stage until Nov. 15, visit irtlive.org.
