ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 10, 1992                   TAG: 9203100387
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

PLAY'S HUMOR ABOUT BLACKS IS SICK

CHRIS Gladden said "The Piano Lesson" [at Mill Mountain Theatre] was richly textured, with humor and authenticity. The humor was sick. And where was the authenticity?

I left at intermission, and I had heard the word "nigger" at least 20 times. I was sandwiched between white people, side, front and back. It takes away your dignity.

This play would be better suited for a Klan convention or a Moose lodge. I've seen many plays, so I know what plays are about, and I know what this one was trying to say. (I know it was 1936.) I remember Stepin Fetchit, Hattie McDaniel, Rochester. It wasn't funny then, and it's not funny now.

No doubt the performances will be packed with people who want to see blacks in a dehumanizing condition. The most despicable thing is that blacks are being used to convey the impression that blacks enjoyed the oppressed condition they were in. The only positive thing is the price is so high, most young blacks won't see it. LANVAN N. REID ROANOKE 


 by CNB