The Billie Holiday Theatre at RestorationArt in Bedford-Stuyvesant is back and opened its season with a powerful production of John Henry Redwood’s “The Old Settler.” The Billie Holiday Theatre has been closed for renovation for some time, and now with the doors open again the public will enjoy brand-new seats, lit steps throughout the theater and new lighting overhead.
The first thing that always hits me when I come to a Billie Holiday production is the impeccable set design. The scenic designer and props person is Frank J. Oliva, and he truly transformed the set to a detailed apartment in Harlem in 1943. The sound design by Kevin Novinsky also transports the audience as period songs play on the radio during the production. I love the fact that the Billie Holiday Theatre always takes its time and takes a great deal of pride in setting the scene and mood to perfection for its productions. Following in line with this theme is also costume designer Niiamar Felder and assistant costume designer Celestine Spooner.
The Billie Holiday Theatre has always been a family-oriented theater and prided itself on presenting works that deal with real concerns in the community. Presenting “The Old Settler” is a tactful way of art imitating life. “The Old Settler” has the underlining idea of people not being able to pay their rising rents and having to take in strangers as borders. Executive Director of the Billie Holiday Theatre Dr. Indira Etwaroo explained that this play was chosen to reflect the current struggle of Bedford Stuyvesant residents to stay in their homes even as rents rise.
This production tells the engaging story of two sisters—Elizabeth, brilliantly played by Pauletta Pearson Washington, and Quilly, movingly portrayed by Denise Burse. These are church-going, Christian sisters who have an apartment in Harlem and find it necessary to rent their spare room to a roomer named Husband, played by Warner Miller. Husband is in New York from down south, searching for his girlfriend Lou Bessie, played by Maechi Aharanwa. Since coming to New York Lou Bessie has changed a great deal. Husband finds New York to be a confusing, closed-in space to live and wants to find Lou Bessie, get married and return home. When he connects with Lou Bessie she is not someone who makes him feel comfortable anymore. Husband finds himself attracted to someone else, a love that seemed forbidden.
“The Old Settler,” though it deals with the issue of renting to a roomer, has a much more complex story going on. There is a strain in the relationship between Elizabeth and Quilly, a problem that runs deep. Redwood’s play shows how we as human beings can blatantly hurt each other but must also be able to forgive each other and move on.
“The Old Settler” has funny moments, loving moments, moments of hope and despair. The cast skillfully takes the audience through an emotional rollercoaster that ends with the love of sisters and a feeling of human kindness. Washington is riveting as Elizabeth; she plays this character with stunning intensity. Her emotions are on fire at times and subtle when appropriate.
Burse is very funny as Quilly, a character that has regrets and can be sympathetic. The emotions that these two sisters experience are crystal clear to the audience and touching to see. Miller is wonderful as Husband, a naïve, trusting young man who is learning as he goes along. But naïve or not, he knows what he’s attracted to and what makes him feel good. Aharanwa is on fire as Lou Bessie. Her character is loud, selfish, mean—and those are her good qualities. The superbly talented cast is beautifully woven together by director Michele Shay.
“The Old Settler” will run through Nov. 19, so please make plans to see it and show your love and support to a Brooklyn-based theater company that has been entertaining, educating, inspiring and reflecting the community for 45 years. For tickets visit TheBillieHoliday.org.