THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 18, 1996 TAG: 9609170122
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Montague Gammon III
LENGTH: 68 lines
The world premiere of Edward G. Williams' play ``Great Day for a Funeral'' this week at the Virginia Beach Center for the Arts marks a climax of efforts that began more than a quarter of a century ago for the author, who is also the founder of Norfolk's young ZWG Repertory Theater.
``Great Day,'' written as a short story in 1970, was first published as part of the anthology ``A Galaxy of Black Writing'' and earned Williams a National Endowment for the Arts grant. The idea of transferring the story to the stage came to Williams ``about seven or eight years later,'' he said.
When Williams retired to his native Hampton Roads from advertising, writing and teaching careers in New York, he set about founding the ZWG Repertory Theater. A production of ``Great Day for a Funeral'' was originally planned as part of last year's inaugural season, but logistical and scheduling problems forced the young group to postpone staging the script.
In the meantime, ZWG received a grant from the Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission specifically for the production of this show, as well as a special General Operating Support grant for the 1996-97 season from the statewide Virginia Commission for the Arts.
Williams calls his play a ``dramatic comedy.'' It's set in the early 1960s, focusing on the events surrounding a recently widowed African-American woman named Jean Peterson, whose grief leads her into often comic, even hilarious confrontation with the family members and friends gathered to console her.
Williams is joined in staging ``Great Day'' by veteran actor and director Rodney Suiter, who serves as his assistant director and performs in the play. Suiter is a familiar face on local stages and behind the scenes. Williams recently studied directing at Old Dominion University with Christopher Hanna, who called him sensitive and intelligent.
In New York, Williams had one novel and other short stories published and saw another play script be given a reading. While his focus has been African-American experience, he is the first to point out that those experiences parallel other group experiences in this country, including the experiences of ``the dominant culture.''
Williams noted that his group has been attracting audiences that are ``about half white and black'' to its small theater in downtown Norfolk. As many people seem to be coming from Virginia Beach as from Norfolk. Patrons from those two cities have made up about 90 percent of the ZWG houses, while the other 10 percent have come from all over the area.
In its first season ZWG staged three shows that demonstrated a willingness to tackle artistically challenging works with energy and sincerity. It has blended the talents of established performers such as Suiter, who is now the group's artistic director, with the enthusiastic efforts of novice and relatively inexperienced players. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
The cast of ``Great Day for a Funeral'' includes, front from left:
Elaine Prince, Edward G. Williams, director, and Shannon Love. Rear:
Beverly Fernandez, Gina George, Garrett Vance and Rodney Suiter. The
play begins Thursday at Virginia Beach Center for the Arts.
Graphic
AT A GLANCE
WHEN & WHERE
What: ``Great Day for a Funeral,'' by Edward G. Williams
Where: Virginia Beach Center for the Arts, 2200 Parks Ave.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m
Sunday
Who: ZWG Repertory Theater
Tickets: 471-8041 by CNB