Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre will stage Samm-Art Williams’ HOME – one of the most honored plays exploring the Black experience in America - from June 4 -19. Williams’ ode to the joys of working the land and the temptations of life in the big city – a nominee in 1980 for Best Play in both the Tony Awards and the Drama Desk Awards – will be directed by Fleetwood-Jourdain Producing Artistic Director Tim Rhoze. HOME is the story of a young man, the recently orphaned Cephus Miles, who is content to work the family farm he has inherited, but following a series of misfortunes, tries his luck in the big city. THE NEW YORK TIMES said HOME is a freshet of good will, a celebration of the indomitability of man, a call to return to the earth -one of the happiest theatrical events of the season.” Press opening is Sunday, June 5 at 3 pm.
Rhoze says his staging of HOME will honor “a style of theatre that too often has been overlooked - the American Travelling Tent Theatre utilized from the late nineteenth century to the early twentieth century. These traveling shows, be they repertory shows, circus, or vaudeville offerings, relied on a barebones approach and very little in the way of costuming, props, and set. We will focus on the lyrical writing, poetic storytelling, humor, heart break, redemption, and amazing performances.”
Rhoze’s cast will be led by Lewon Johnson as Cephus Miles. Johnson has been seen on Chicago stages in HOODOO LOVE (Raven Theatre) and MLIMA’S TALE (Griffin Theatre); and regionally in LES MISERABLES (Theatre Memphis) and A RAISIN IN THE SUN (The Renaissance Project Atlanta). Rachel Blakes and Tuesdai B. Perry will play multiple roles as the various women in his life. Blakes has a BFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University and has most recently been seen in productions of MUD, FRINDLE, A LAYING ON OF HANDS, and COMB YOUR HAIR (OR YOU’LL LOOK LIKE A SLAVE). Perry, a native of Gary, Indiana who holds a BA in Directing and Writing from Western Illinois University, has performed in Fleetwood-Jourdain’s productions of CROWNS and THE NUTCRACKER(ISH) and recently played as Snoopy in Citadel Theatre’s YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN.
Left-right: Lewon Johnson, Rachel Blakes, Tuesdai B. Perry.
The production team for HOME, in addition to Rhoze, who is co-set designer and co-sound designer as well as stage director; includes Evan Sposato (Technical Director, Co-Set Designer), David Goodman-Edburg (Lighting Designer), Rebecca J. Lister (Production Stage Manager, Co-Sound Designer), Kara Roseborough (Choreographer), Olive Ferguson (Costume Designer, Assistant Stage Manager), and Bria Walker (Dramaturg, Dialect Coach).
Performances will be Saturdays at 7:00 pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm, at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St., Evanston. Tickets for HOME are $30.00 and will be on sale soon at www.fjtheatre.com.
Rachel Blakes, Lewon Johnson. Photo by Kara Roseborough.
Left-right: Rachel Blakes, Lewon Johnson, Tuesdai B. Perry. Photo by Kara Roseborough.
LISTING INFORMATION
HOME
By Samm-Art Williams
Directed by Tim Rhoze
June 4 – 19, 2022
Saturdays at 7 pm and Sundays 3 pm
Press Opening Sunday, June 5 at 3 pm
No late seating
To ensure the safety of audiences and performers, we ask that all patrons be fully vaccinated and wear masks during the performance.
Noyes Cultural Arts Center
927 Noyes St., Evanston, IL 60201 (east of Ridge Ave.)
847-866-5914
Tickets $30.00
www.fjtheatre.com
Cephus Miles has inherited a small farm in South Carolina from his family and he is content to work the land until his childhood sweetheart rejects him and goes off to college. Not believing in the Vietnam war, Cephus is imprisoned as a draft evader for refusing to serve. By the time he is released, Cephus has lost his land to the tax collector so he heads north to build a new life. He finds the big city exciting and rewarding, but the dream soon begins to fade.
BIOS
RACHEL BLAKES (She/her/hers, Woman one/Pattie Mae) Rachel Blakes is a Chicago based actress originally from New Orleans, LA. She received her BFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University and has most recently been seen in productions of MUD, FRINDLE, A LAYING ON OF HANDS, and COMB YOUR HAIR (OR YOU’LL LOOK LIKE A SLAVE) and starred in GARY SCREAMS FOR YOU.
LEWON JOHNSON (He/Him/His, Cephus Miles) Chicago born, Memphis raised, and Atlanta rooted, Lewon is overjoyed to create with his newfound Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre family. Most memorable theatre credits: HOODOO LOVE (Raven Theatre), LES MISERABLES (Theatre Memphis), A RAISIN IN THE SUN (The Renaissance Project Atlanta), and MLIMA’S TALE (Griffin Theatre). Chicago television credits include CHICAGO P.D. (NBCUniversal), NeXT (FOX), and the upcoming drama series, TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE (HBO). Mississippi State University (BA) Conservatory Trained: The Company Acting Studio (MCFA).
TUESDAI B. PERRY (She/Her/Hers, Woman Two) Tuesdai B. Perry is elated to return home to Fleetwood-Jourdain! You may have previously seen her here in CROWNS and THE NUTCRACKER(ISH). Hailing from Gary, Indiana, she holds a BA in Directing and Writing from Western Illinois University. In addition to being a performer, she is an active choreographer and director in the Chicagoland area. "This show is dedicated to all places that hold our hearts and host our home. And to all: love, light, and solidarity." #RepresentationMatters
TIM RHOZE (Director/Co-Set Designer/Co-Sound Designer) Tim Rhoze has been the Producing Artistic Director of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre since 2010. His directing credits include: TWILIGHT: LOS ANGELES 1992, THE MEETING, FIRES IN THE MIRROR, BLACK BALLERINA (co-writer), NUTCRACKER(ISH), CROWNS, HAVING OUR SAY, FROM THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA, HOME, FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF, WOZA ALBERT!, GOING TO ST. IVES, SINGLE BLACK FEMALE, A SONG FOR CORETTA, YELLOWMAN, SWEET, LADY DAY AT EMERSON BAR & GRILL, BEAR COUNTRY, NOBODY, FENCES, PIANO LESSON, AIN'T MISBEHAVIN, K2, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, et. al. Tim is also the writer/director of WHY NOT ME? A SAMMY DAVIS JR. STORY, and MAYA’S LAST POEM, both produced at FJT. He was co-writer and director of A HOME ON THE LAKE, co-produced with the Piven Theatre Workshop.
SAMM-ART WILLIAMS (Playwright) Samm-Art Williams was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Burgaw. After graduating from Morgan State College in Baltimore, he studied with the Freedom Theater’s Acting Workshop in Philadelphia under the direction of John Allen and Bob Leslie. As a member of the Negro Ensemble Company, he performed in such plays as THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER, EDEN, and NEVIS MOUNTAIN DEW. He also wrote many plays, including HOME, which received a Tony nomination in the category of best Broadway play and toured internationally. He had a lucrative career in television, where he took on roles as an actor, a writer, and executive producer for popular shows such as Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Martin. He has been nominated for two Emmy awards.
ABOUT FLEETWOOD-JOURDAIN THEATRE
Founded in 1979, Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre is a professional, award-winning theatre company that has been thrilling audiences with over three decades of unique, inspirational, and invigorating African American and African Diaspora-centered storytelling. The company has been honored in the Black Theatre Alliance/Ira Aldridge Awards. From original plays to the best of Broadway, Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre has remained committed to supplying the very best in theatre. "Umoja!! ….Working Together in Unity" is the foundation from which FJT began and continues to thrive!
It is our mission to present powerful, thought-provoking, Theater Arts programming with a commitment to diversity and creative excellence. We are dedicated to providing a nurturing and creative environment for directors, playwrights, actors, set, light, and costume designers. In this positive environment, they can further develop their creative skills and share their artistic expressions. The Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre is funded by the City of Evanston and in part by the Illinois Arts Council, A State Agency.