Cal U welcomes play about civil rights legends
CALIFORNIA – “Living my life was the only education I got,” the actress portraying Lena Horne said of learning about civil rights. California University of Pennsylvania welcomed the national tour of “Jackie, Vi & Lena,” a play following the lives of Jackie Robinson, Viola Liuzzo and Lena Horne during the civil rights movement.
The audience, filled with mostly local college students, turned out for an education through song about three legendary figures involved in the movement.
The play culminates in the meeting of the three title figures – Robinson, the first African-American to play Major League Baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers; Viola Liuzzo, the only white woman enshrined on the National Civil Rights Memorial who was shot by members of the Klu Klux Klan after joining the movement; and Lena Horne, the first African-American to sign with a major motion picture studio – at the Selma to Montgomery March led by Dr. Martin Luther King.
The JENA Company of New York debuted the production this year and the show will tour for three months, starring Douglas Scott Streater as Robinson, Julia Burns as Liuzzo and Andrea Cosley as Horne.
Michael Cavnaugh, executive assistant of the JENA Company of New York, said the production is “designed to make you think.”
Emily Yamba, a transfer student from Sweden studying psychology, said knowledge of the civil rights movement in America is important.
Her cousin Sharifa Yamba, an international studies and biology major, said most students have a foundation for civil rights education, though.
“I feel people know the basics, but anything can help,” she said. “There’s nothing negative about putting the message out.”
Jessica Brandenstein, a freshman early childhood education major, said the play “brings out a new point of view.”
Janna Grems, a junior studying biology and psychology, agreed.
“It’s good for students to hear about racial issues and keep it in their heads,” she said. “It’s not over yet. It’s still there.”
Renee Joshua-Porter, company manager, said Robinson, Liuzzo and Horne broke barriers.
For example, when she began her singing career, Horne received an education when she realized that even the songs she sang were negative towards African-Americans.
During the play, Cosley said racism “steals your soul and makes you feel less than who you are.”
“You have to be taught to be second class,” the actress said. “You’re not born that way.”
Joshua-Porter said many celebrities, such as – Shelly Winters, Dick Gregory and Tony Bennett – volunteered their services to the cause.
“Back then there was a tenacity and determination beyond money and accolades,” she said. “That type of tenacity is rarely shown now.”
She said the “informative” and “educational” production “represents the unified force that allowed these strides to take place.”
“As we progress as a people certain advancements we’ve made are forgotten about,” she said. “Forty-two years ago is not that long ago. It’s important to remember the civil rights movement is not some archaic part of history.”