Santa Cruz Sentinel
February 21, 1997

The dimensions of color
UCSC African-American troupe delivers a
probing performance of 'A Soldier's Play'

By CHRISTIANE CARMAN
Sentinel correspondent

CHARLES FULLER'S 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning play "A Soldier's Play" is a riveting story set in a segregated backwater Louisiana army camp in 1944. It artfully explores racial tensions among blacks and whites during the course of a murder investigation. Staged by the UCSC African-American Theatre Arts Troupe for its sixth season, "A Soldier's Play" is a thought provoking piece which speaks to the heart and stirs the soul.

When Tech/Sgt. Vernon C. Waters (Don Williams) is murdered, Capt. Richard Davenport (Darryl Davies) is called upon to head the investigation. A quietly driven military attorney, Davenport is not about to let anything stand in the way of truth. The fact that Davenport is black doesn't sit well with the white officers involved in the investigation, but he steadfastly determines to seek justice despite the gross prejudice he encounters.

Davenport butts heads with Capt. Charles Taylor (Andy Edgerly) who makes no bones about the fact he doesn't feel too comfortable seeing a black man with Captain's bars. He tells Davenport point. blank that "being in charge does not look right on Negroes."

Davenport soon discovers that the murder has nothing to do with the Klan, as one might expect, but more to do with the relationship between the murder victim Waters and a certain member of his unit, Pvt. C.J. Memphis (Jerry Brown Jr.) who epitomizes everything Waters hates about his race.

Davenport learns that Tech/Sgt. Waters was indeed a very complicated man who inspired considering both positive and negative. Through flashback and reminiscences, Waters is revealed to be an extraordinarily difficult human being with profoundly disturbing racial perceptions.

Don Williams skillfully reveals the complex psychology of Waters' struggle to combat the iniquity of racial oppression. He slowly unveils the many layers of the character's emotional life and ultimately presents us with a truly tragic figure. Williams brings considerable energy to the stage. He is at once charming and deadly.

Williams also directs the production and elicits sympathetic performances from the ensemble of student actors. Jerry Brown Jr. is affecting as Pvt. Memphis. He exudes warmth and innocence.

Bryan Steele is particularly smarmy as Capt. Wilcox, the viciously pompous officer who's grossly offended by Capt. Davenport's questioning. Josh Campbell effectively plays Lt. Byrd, Wilcox's cohort.

Though many of the actors are newcomers to the stage, they bring considerable enthusiasm to the production. What they may lack in experience, they make up for in verve.

At the end of the show, Williams addresses the audience and extolls the virtue and power of the theatre. "A Soldier's Play" is indeed a powerful story. The UCSC AfricanAmerican Theatre Arts Troupe has made it their goal to contribute to the understanding of cultural diversity by presenting productions about people of color and creating a sense of understanding, awareness and respect. "A Soldier's Play" is a well-chosen piece for the Troupe's sixth season.