Pullman Porter Blues
Pullman Porter Blues is a 2012 play written by Cheryl West. Set in 1937, during the Great Depression, the play shows the story of the Pullman porters on a train ride aboard the Panama Limited from Chicago to New Orleans.[1][2]
Locations performed
[edit]- Arena Stage Kreeger Theater in Washington, D.C.[3]
- Goodman Theatre in Chicago [2]
Cast
[edit]- Grandfather Monroe - Larry Marshall
- Cephas - Warner Miller or Tosin Morohunfola
- Sylvester - Cleavant Derricks
- Train conductor Tex
- Lutie the stowaway
Music
[edit]- Hezekiah’s Song
- This Train
- Sweet Home Chicago
- Wild Women Don't Have the Blues
- Panama Limited Chant
- Panama Limited Blues
- 900 Miles
- Joe Louis Blues
- Hop Scop Blues
- That Lonesome Train Took My Baby Away
- Trouble in Mind
- Grievin’ Hearted Blues
- Hezekiah’s Song (Reprise)
Reception
[edit]Variety reviewer Paul Harris wrote: "Despite its flaws, "Pullman Porter Blues" offers delightful moments and earns kudos for attitude."[3] The Chicago Reader's Justin Hayford was critical of the play's "repetitive scenes,"[4] while the Chicago Tribune's Chris Jones found the production to be "a good 15 minutes too long" but was nonetheless entertained.[5]
See also
[edit]- 10,000 Black Men Named George, 2002 film.
References
[edit]- ^ Friedman, Margaret (18 September 2012). "Fall Arts: Playwright Cheryl L. West Takes the Train". Seattle Weekly.
- ^ a b "Your Chicago: Historic Pullman Neighborhood". 27 September 2013.
- ^ a b Harris, Paul (3 December 2012). "Pullman Porter Blues". Variety.
- ^ Hayford, Justin (September 25, 2013). "Pullman Porter Blues blues". Chicago Reader. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
- ^ Jones, Chris (September 24, 2013). "Echoes of race and history from the days of Pullman rail". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 24, 2019.