Shakespeare Festival offering fantastic production

Published 11:36 pm Friday, October 1, 2010

Dear editor,

If you are looking for something to do this weekend take in a play at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery, now in its 25th season. I recently went to one called “The Nocirema Society.”

“The Nocirema Society” is currently running on the festival stage from Sept. 24 until Oct. 3. The play was written by Pearl Cleage and is a comedy. The play stars Jasmine Guy, Whitley Gilbert from the TV show “A Different World.”

Email newsletter signup

This production is a must for stressed-out and overworked folks needing some entertainment and a break from the real world. If you like soap operas and like good Southern humor and gossip mixed in with a little sherry to drink, this play is for you.

I laughed so much I thought my head would fall off my shoulders. I completely forgot the headache I had upon entering the theater. The play twists and turns and is constantly moving with six talented women and one man who know how to act and spin southern comedy and folklore into their stories.

“The Nocirema Society” is a social club in Montgomery that introduces young debutants to society. It celebrates African-American young ladies every 100 years. These six young African-American ladies are then accepted into their rich community. These ladies are considered as wealthy and socially accepted by their class of wealth and to whom they are matched up with at the dance.

The play is centered on the families planning the party to match make rich young girls with rich young men that were socially acceptable to their families. The play was during the 1960s and talked about what was going on during the period of bus boycotts and freedom protests.

The play is a love story as well as a social party. If you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall of a debutant party of the wealthy and privileged, this play is an eye opening experience. In my opinion it is a must see and you will enjoy your time at “The Nocirema Society.” It will make you forget your problems and let you see what lengths people go through to make their mark in society, to fit into society and how hard it is to find true love along the way.

The best part about this production to me was getting to meet the cast after the show. I especially liked meeting Jasmine Guy. I was a big fan of her in the show “A Different World,” so meeting her in person was a thrill. A feat I never thought would be possible. Things can happen for you if you work hard enough to make them happen.

For more information, call the box office 1-800-841-4273 or visit www.asf.net. If you need an accommodation, such as a large print program, let them know at the time of purchasing tickets and they will provide it for you.

William H. Bowman

Selma