Thursday, July 10, 2008

Michael T. Weiss and Michole Briana White in "Of Equal Measure," a world premiere play by Tanya Barfield at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Directed by Leigh Silverman, "Of Equal Measure" opens July 11, 2008 and continues through July 27 (previews began June 29). For tickets and information, call (213) 628-2772 or visit www.CenterTheatreGroup.org. Contact: CTG Press (213) 972-7376

But, there's a moment in U.S. history that has been largely overlooked. It's the Woodrow Wilson era, a time that surreptitiously, through segregationist policies, put Negroes behind the eight ball.

That moment in history and how it impacted the lives of Negroes and the country as a whole is the subject matter of Tanya Barfield's latest play, "Of Equal Measure," which has its world premiere, July 11, at the Kirk Douglas Theater in Culver City.

The show is set in World War I America when Wilson lobbed the U.S. into what was and still is called the "Great War" in order that "the world be made safe for democracy." Joseph C. Phillips ("The Cosby Show") and Michole Briana White ("Jitney") are two of the show's stars.

White, the focal point in the production, plays Jade Kingston, a naïve, but ambitious Negro stenographer employed in the White House who, unwittingly aides the White House in duping her own people. She witnesses the contradiction of Wilson bringing the United States into the war, while setting back civil rights at home by ordering the segregation of black federal employees and imprisoning individuals critical of the war effort.

"She is a black woman of great hope, who is a bit naïve, but prideful," said White, who replaced Lisa Gay Hamilton in the role a couple of weeks ago. "She strongly believes she can make a difference. She's always about the positive. She doesn't believe that Wilson would go back on his word. She then begins to notice things in the White House are not what they seem to be. They are not as positive as she sees them and she realizes she's not in the position she thought she was."

Jade's eyes are opened, partly, by her cousin, David Leonard, a journalist played by Phillips.

"My character serves as a mirror to her," said Phillips, who is married to wife Nicole and the father of three boys. "She (Jade) talks to me about her grand ideas. They are pretty words, but I tell her the real deal. I hold a mirror so she can see what's really happening to black people during this time."

Both White and Phillips admitted the time period wasn't one with which they were fully familiar. But having done some research, they now appreciate even more, how blacks persevered.

"I didn't know a lot about this time period," said Phillips. "This is an important part in our history, particularly with black people. We forget about this period of time, which was a period of great achievement. I knew some about the Civil War, but I seemed to have skipped over this period. Black people were working throughout the government at this time. There was integration. Wilson came in and that was when you began to see him playing to Congress and to southern whites. You also saw the ushering in of real Jim Crow laws."

"I also didn't know much about Woodrow Wilson," said White, a Chicago native who now calls Los Angeles home. "When you stop and think about it, it's pretty unbelievable."

"There are a lot of parallels in the play," Phillips added. "Wilson's entry into World War I and Bush's entry into the Iraq war--it's the same kind of rhetoric about democracy and fighting tyranny."

"Tanya (Barfield) has done an incredible job writing this story," White said, with Phillips concurring.

Considered a rising star in theater circles, Barfield's credits include "Dent," "The Quick" and "The Houdini Act." She also is the recipient of the 2003 Helen Merrill Award for Emerging Playwrights.

"I wanted to do this show simply because she asked me," Phillips said. "I'm part of a world premiere. I'm part of the creative process. Life is too short to spend with people having problems and friction. When you get a chance to work with artist who have a vision, you should go for it."

"I'm inspired by Tanya and by Leigh (Silverman, the director)," White said. "I believe in the power of women."

When asked whether it was more important for blacks or for whites to see the show, both Phillips and White agreed it's equally important for both.

"I think everyone should see this show," Phillips said. "I'd like to see more black faces in the theater."

"There is a universal line in this show," White said. "No one is better than anyone else. We all need to hear and learn. Everybody needs to see the show. Straight up, it is 'Of Equal Measure.'"

"Of Equal Measure," directed by Leigh Silverman, was commissioned by Center Theatre Group, and is the final production of the Kirk Douglas Theatre's 2007-2008 season.

The set design is by Richard Hoover and Sibyl Wickersheimer, costume design is by Rachel Myers, lighting design is by Lap Chi Chu, sound design is by Adam Phalen, the projection design is by Jason H. Thompson and original music is by Kathryn Bostic.

Information: Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City; 8 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday; 1 and 6:30 p.m., Sunday; exceptions: Thursday, July 17 and 24, curtain is at 8:30 p.m.; No performances Mondays. Runs through July 27. Cost: $20-$40. Contact: (213) 628-2772 or www.CenterTheatreGroup.org.

L.A. Watts Times, Inc.