The Dutchman, by poet and playwright Amiri Baraka (then known by his birth name, LeRoi Jones) created a sensation when first performed in New York City in 1964. The story of a white woman engaging with and provoking a black man on a subway train in New York City, the show was intended as an allegory of racial relations in America at the time. Its raw power earned Baraka an Obie award.
Now, over a half-century later, the issues that The Dutchman raise remain relevant to the national conversation. So it is entirely appropriate that a new production of the show be performed locally— at the Trunk on Franklin Avenue.
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"The language is still cutting edge. The scene, in a subway— it's like an underground canister," said Gary Bond, the show's director. "Today, we're undergoing really difficult times with these issues, sociologically. And racism is still an issue in this country– in 2016. I find that to be amazing. So, a play about race is every bit as important now as it was then."
In your face
For Bond, not just a theatrical director but a poet in his own right, working on The Dutchman is like returning home. He began reading Baraka's work while attending the University of Toledo, and has directed The Dutchman multiple times, including a production in the basement of the Collingwood Arts Center. Bond said that the setting of this new performance provides unique opportunities for the audience to interact with the actors.
"I'm in a private bar, and I've configured the set like a subway train. So what I do, I have people sit on the train with the actors. You're right next to the actors, as they are up in your face."
Give-and-take
This is not a new experience for actor Huntor Prey, as he has worked with Bond over the past three years, including on a previous production of The Dutchman.
"It's a very cool relationship with the director, it's a nice give-and-take," Prey said. "He knows what he wants, but he also gives his actors breathing room [to] kind of think for themselves, figure out exactly how the character is, and how that character can work for them."
It's a different experience for actress Trina Stolec, who is working with Bond for the first time. Stolec explains the resonance of the show's themes to modern society: "I think the saddest part of the play is that it was written so long ago, yet it's still so pertinent to what is happening."
Despite his own long history with the show, and with the work of Baraka, Bond said that he is thrilled at the way the Trunk production is coming together.
"I'm delighted to have another shot at it, a chance to do it again, make another statement, make some of the same statements. And, with people being this close to the play— I find that to be very interesting," he said.
The Dutchman will be performed at The Trunk at 3353 Franklin Ave.
A preview of the show will be held at 5:30pm on Wednesday, August 31.
The first performance will take place 5:30pm on Friday, September 9, with additional dates to be announced.
For more information, contact The Trunk at 419-243-6358 or see the Facebook event.
