MADISON - - "I never thought I'd see the day that the world would want to hear what two old Negro women have to say," says Bessie Delany.
The world does want to hear, for Bessie and her sister, Sadie, have a remarkable story to tell, and it will be told at Rabbit Run Theater in the second show of their 2007 season, "Having Our Say, the Delany Sisters' First 100 Years."
Based on the best-selling book by the same title by Amy Hill Hearth and Sarah L. and A. Elizabeth Delany, "Having Our Say" recounts the poignant lives of two African-American women who each lived more than 100 years. Born to a former slave in the late 1800s, Bessie and Sadie were instilled in their youth with a rare courage, hope and faith which enlivened them to challenge racial barriers. Bessie became New York City's second black dentist, and Sadie, the city's first black woman home-economics teacher.
Their vivid, joyous and sometimes startling memories show us the post-Reconstruction South, the harshness of Jim Crow laws and Harlem's Golden Age. Their lives crossed paths with such notables as jazz great Cab Colloway, singer Marian Anderson, and Eleanor Roosevelt.
"These two amazing women learned early their obligation to persevere in a racist society through sheer determination and wit", says director Yvonne Pilarczyk. "Sadie and Bessie possessed a joy, hope and sense of humor that few people have. I feel honored to have the opportunity to touch this script and bring forth the spirit of these two remarkable women."
Pilarczyk has been active in theater for the past 35 years as an actor, director, producer and stage manager. Recently she directed at Chagrin Valley Little Theater as well as Mapleleaf Theater in Harpersfield. "Having Our Say" is her first directorial experience at Rabbit Run Theater.
The feistier of the two sisters, Bessie, is played by Robin Echols Cooper. Cooper is no stranger to the Rabbit Run stage, having appeared in last summer's production of "Ragtime." Maria Thomas Lister portrays the more peaceable sister, Sadie. This is Lister's first appearance at Rabbit Run in 11 years, at which time she appeared in the theater's production of "Shadowlands".
"Having Our Say" opens today and runs through June 30. Rabbit Run Theater is one of the few barn theaters remaining in Ohio and produces four major productions each summer from the beginning of June through the end of August.
Tickets may be purchased at the box office by calling 440-428-7092, 3 to 7 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Curtain time is 8 p.m. Rabbit Run Theater is located at 5648 Chapel Road.
Star Beacon Print Edition: 6/22/2007
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Sisters 'Having Our Say' at Rabbit Run
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