Tale Of Two Slaves At Readers Theatre

A high-power professional show is booked for Pohai Nani auditorium next week, featuring two of Oahu’s most respected actors and directed by award-winning Maunawili director Vanita Rae Smith.

In its third free production, Windward Readers Theatre presents Having Our Say by Emily Mann at 7 p.m. June 4, 6 and 8, starring Jo Pruden and Sylvia HormannAlper (a Pohai Nani resident). The play is based on the true story of sisters Sadie and Bessie Delany, who were born into slavery during the Civil War Reconstruction period. The story spans a century – through the rise of Jim Crowe, two world wars, the Harlem Renaissance and the civil and women’s rights movements up to the present. A best-selling book of memoir, it also was made into an award-winning TV film starring Diahann Carroll, Ruby Dee, Amy Madigan and Richard Roundtree, among others.

The narration is by the sisters, ages 103 and 101 (but now deceased), as they look back across the their lives.

This Readers Theatre version is sponsored by Windward Arts Council and Pohai Nani retirement community, located at 45-090 Namoku St. where there is ample free parking. Reservations are suggested at 254-4885, and donations are welcome.