Review: 'Hannibal of the Alps'
World premiere drama at Detroit Rep examines the sexuality of poet Langston Hughes
When Hannibal crossed the Alps Ð with elephants, no less Ð into Italy in 218 B.C., he was an already established military leader who later went on to achieve even greater victories. By contract, when the up-and-coming black poet Langston Hughes entered Italy more than 2,000 years later Ð by train, through a tunnel and without elephants Ð there was also a battle being waged Ð but it was a personal struggle that even today has not been satisfactorily resolved by historians and experts alike.
Was the beloved poet and playwright gay or wasn't he, many have asked. Or, as others have theorized, was he asexual?
Hughes himself left the question unanswered Ð despite poems such as "Young Sailor" and "Waterfront Streets" that seem to indicate an attraction for men. And many of his closest friends were "known homosexuals." Yet for some reason Ð and given the times, perhaps it was better that way Ð the man who was so vocal about racial equality remained silent about his own sexuality right up until the very end.
Detroit-born playwright and sitcom writer Michael Dinwiddie has given the question much thought, the results of which premiered last week on the stage of the Detroit Repertory Theatre. But as evidenced by the disappearance of many patrons following the intermission at last Saturday night's performance, it's a subject that STILL is uncomfortable for many in the black community to consider Ð despite the engaging theory put forth by the playwright and the quality production staged by director Barbara Busby!
In "Hannibal of the Alps," Dinwiddie explores Hughes' struggle with his sexuality through three relationships he experiences while living in Europe in 1924: Anne Coussey, a British-born, forward-thinking black woman who proposes marriage to the poet; Romeo Luppi, an Italian waiter Hughes befriends; and Dr. Alain Locke, a critic and college professor, who becomes Hughes' mentor.
Coussey, she reveals, is ready for marriage, yet she's confused by Hughes' behavior. Although he professes his love for her and is a passionate writer, Hughes shows little affection towards her. And, she discovers, there are people in his life that he doesn't willingly acknowledge.
One such person is Locke, whom she discovers sharing Hughes' bed while on a surprise visit to Italy.
Locke, 16 years older than Hughes, is a cultured black man who fell in love with Hughes through the letters they exchanged over an 18-month period prior to their meeting in France. He's amused by the poet's innocence, and wants to teach him the finer points in life.
Hughes is uncomfortable with both options that stand before him, however. And as everyone who's ever struggled with their sexuality can attest, certain life-changing decisions come with a price that might not leave everyone happy!
Director Busby tells Dinwiddie's story with a crisply staged production that makes great use of Harry Wetzel's presentational set. (These are some of the quickest scene changes you'll ever see!) Sounds and lights are well thought out and executed, as well. (It's easy to forget you're in a theater and not in a train station!)
But it's the strong performances given by Busby's cast that make the characters "real" and their struggles identifiable.
Michael Joseph is especially on target with his portrayal of Hughes. This is a man who loves to experience life, yet who can only vividly express himself when he's not happy. Both sides of Hughes' personality are well delineated.
Sharing the stage with him more often than not is Greg Bowman who plays the very cultured Dr. Locke. The two talented actors compliment each other well!
With a slight British accent that never waivers, Wilde Award nominee Casaundra Freeman gives another fine performance, this time as a woman torn between what her heart wants and what her brain believes is best.
And Darrell Glasgow Ð another Wilde Award nominee Ð makes me want to visit Italy Ð or at least have a hot Italian pursue me like Luppi pursues Hughes!
"Hannibal of the Alps" Presented Thursday through Sunday by the Detroit Repertory Theatre, 13103 Woodrow Wilson, Detroit, through June 26. Tickets: $17. 313-868-1347. http://www.detroitreptheatre.com.
The Bottom Line: The Rep ends its season with a thoughtful, thought-provoking and thoroughly engaging examination of an issue some would rather leave alone: the question of Langston Hughes' sexuality.
Update: 2005 Wilde Awards
Wilde Awards changed to Sept. 1 at Gem Theatre
Sometimes you just can't win Ð no matter how hard you try!
Several months ago we chose the original date for this year's Wilde Awards because there were no conflicts in downtown Detroit or near the Gem Theatre that night that would cause us major headaches: Neither the Detroit Tigers nor the Detroit Lions had games scheduled that night, nor were there major shows planned at other nearby venues.
Recently, however, some guy named Keith Richards decided to hit the road for the summer, and guess what night the Rolling Stones are scheduled to perform at Ford Field across the street from the Gem? Why, the same night as the Wilde Awards, of course!
So rather than subject everyone to $30 – $50 parking fees, traffic jams and long walks back to our cars late at night, we decided not to ask Keith and company to change THEIR date…we changed ours, instead!
So the new date of the 2005 Wilde Awards is Thursday, Sept. 1 at Detroit's Gem Theatre!
"There was no way we could keep the original date," BTL's co-publisher Susan Horowitz said after the change was announced late last week. "It would have been a miserable evening, because both events were scheduled to start around the same time. That means that tens of thousands of people would be flooding the freeways and downtown streets, all of whom would be vying for the same parking spaces. It was a situation none of us looked forward to. Now we can relax and have a fun evening!"
Complete details about the event will be forthcoming later this summer. Watch future editions of Curtain Calls for further information.
