Wright stuff: Play traces author’s life

Wright stuff: Play traces author’s life

By Jennifer Richmond

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

All writers have been known to put themselves in their work.

Richard Wright was no different.

Willard Simms proves that by putting Wright’s life on stage in
his drama, "Wright From America."

Through impassioned pleas and vivid dialogue, Simms shows the
close bond Wright shares with his characters.

The touching drama takes a close look at Wright’s life and the
hardships he endured as an African American novelist.

Even though the play is short, Simms packs it with stories,
passion and personality -all of which were standards for
Wright.

Wright, played by Wilson Bell, was a man who believed in
standing up for what he thought was right. He wanted to tell the
story of the African American man as it really was. He was sick of
the slow-witted innocent stereotype. He was tired of people feeling
sorry for him and his kind. His novels reflected that.

Through Wright’s story-telling and flashbacks, the audience
discovers the strong similarity between Wright and his most famous
character, Bigger Thomas. Although Bigger never appears on stage,
Wright’s characterization and his explanation of why he created the
character make their tie clear. Both had the passionate desire to
buck the odds and make something of themselves.

Just as Wright used dialogue to reveal his characters, Simms
uses the same technique to reveal the tortured soul of a writer
that longs to be heard and praised for making a difference.

While the audience witnesses Wright as he is right before his
death, Simms fleshes out his lead character through flashbacks of
events that had an important impact on his life. The audience
discovers why Wright is so passionate about his novels and how
Wright became obsessed with the "forbidden fruit" of writing.

For Wright, writing was as important as breathing. But because
he developed characters who believed in standing up for themselves
and what they believed was right, Wright’s writing was looked down
upon. If he was to write, he needed to maintain the accepted
African American stereotype.

These situations Wright wrote about stemmed directly from his
own experiences, like his first encounter with a Caucasian
employer. It’s easy to see where Bigger Thomas gets his
forcefulness. Even though his Caucasian employer warns Wright that
he’s just an "ignorant Negro" who should consider himself lucky to
get a job, Wright still believes he’s a human being who deserves
some respect. He doesn’t let other people’s actions limit his
goals, and Bell proves that through his controlled speech and
degrading tone.

Bell understands Wright’s devotion to his people and the misery
they had to go through. That pain comes through in his speech. His
descriptions and cold stares at those who try to keep him down are
enough to send shivers down the most unfeeling spine. It doesn’t
matter what others say, as long as he’s heard in one way or
another. And Bell shows that over and over again through Simms’
vivid dialogue and telling descriptions.

While the entire drama overflows with emotion and intensity,
this scene is by far the best. It proves what the rest of the play
has brought to light again and again – that Wright was an amazing
man and Simms is a stellar playwright with a future as bright as
his character’s.

STAGE: For more info call (213) 660-TKTS.Comments to
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