On Friday, January 22, 2010, I had the opportunity to see the University of Central Florida’s Theatre Department present From Sun to Sun: A Day in a Railroad Camp, an adaption by N.Y. Nathiri and Thomas Wilson of the concert originally by Zora Neale Hurson. The production was presented as part of the 21st Annual Zora Neale Hurson Festival of the Arts and Humanities and the 50th Anniversary Zora Legacy Celebration. Having no preconceptions of what to expect, I both enjoyed and was disappointed by the performance.
From Sun to Sun is about African America railroad workers in 1916, living in railroad camps around Lake Okeechobee and Central Florida. Its central protagonist is Youngblood, a young man looking to escape his familiar surroundings for adventure in other places. He must face his disapproving parents and the town troublemaker, Tatum, who he had befriended. Without giving too much away, I found the script to be a little predictable and slightly disorganized. I appreciate learning about the lives of people who lived in the time period, but wish that it expanded more on the characters and their day to day obstacles. There were many characters that were unnecessary and detracting to the central plot. There were also a few scenes that could have either been cut or further explored. The show in general also confused me. In every scene there is at least one song or dance although the show is not advertised as a musical. I know that railroad workers often sang songs to pass time, but I was confused when the entire cast broke out into a musical number when nothing encouraged them to do so. I think the play would have done better if it was advertised as a musical.
The cast did a good job portraying a time long before theirs. I was especially impressed by Pascha Weaver as Miss ‘Phelia & Granny and Felichia Wright as Ju’el. They were able to successfully step into their characters and the dialect. They both seemed incredibly natural in their roles and were very convincing. I was not as impressed with Troy Brooks who played Youngblood and Edmarie Montes who played Belle. I felt that they both were going through the motions of their characters rather than really becoming them. The rest of the cast had their own hit and miss moments. The singing was powerful, emotional, and well done, especially by Kerri Alexander. The southern dialects were not well rehearsed and many cast members had a hard time enunciating words with the dialogue.
I enjoyed the set very much. It had a realistic look with the wooden paneling that surrounded the stage, which both represented the inside and outside of shacks in the railroad town. The lighting also effectively represented the time of day in the town, which was essential to the plot considering the show takes place in one day. The sound was good. Since the cast projected the need for microphones was not essential. The music levels were set well and could be heard great. I loved how the costumes for the workers looked old and worn. That made it believable to me. The Island Dancers had bright and colorful costumes which juxtaposed nicely with the dull tones of the workers. I also liked how there was no stage crew and instead the actors were responsible for moving the set pieces around in character. This did not break the tone of the scenes and this kept the audience focused on the plot.
For every good moment this show had, there was a poor moment to follow it. While the technical aspects of the production and most of the cast did great, it was brought down by some ok performances and an unorganized and unfocused script. I would recommend this to any person who wishes to support the arts at UCF and the Zora Neale Hurston Festival. I do not think this show is memorial but the effort of the UCF faculty and students is appreciated. Out of five stars, I would give this three and a half.
