With “Lady Patriot,” Ted Lange demonstrates the resilience of enslaved Black people in the South during the Civil War in a story of a Union spy, based on real historic figures, and told in a way that is funny, informative, and extremely eye-opening. As the writer and director of this production, Lange delivers a story you will enjoy and appreciate. Although we blatantly see the racism, greed, cruelty, arrogance, and ignorance of white plantation owner and head of the Confederates, Jefferson Davis and his wife Varina Davis, we also witness the strength and cunning nature of another white plantation owner Elizabeth Van Lew. Not all Southerners supported slavery. A Jewish Southerner, Judah, a trusted confidant and advisor to Davis, seemed to have mixed feelings about it. A journalist named Slydell plays a role in getting messages to the Union forces. The audience also gets acquainted with Mary Bowser, an enslaved woman who lives on Lew’s plantation and is lent to Varina when she is going to have a baby. Bowser has much more to her than meets the eye. There is also Old Robert, who belongs to the Davis family and is subjected to being degraded, but also knows how to play the game when it comes to dealing with White Southerners and his racist masters. The “N” word is also used a lot, given the setting of the Civil War and that you are in the home of Jefferson Davis. This production has a lot of humorous moments. There are also moments when the enslaved people demonstrate their abilities to function well under dangerous and hostile environments. They show that they may be enslaved, but they have hopes and aspirations.
Chrystee Pharris is powerful as Mary Bowser. She is quick-tongued and quick-witted. Her character is that of a strong Black woman who is on a mission and will do whatever it takes to accomplish the desired outcome. Old Robert is delightfully and engagingly played by Court Stoval. His character has a wisdom that is to be respected. He has learned to navigate around his oppressors and, in some cases, ingratiate himself, so that they trust him implicitly. He shows what Black slaves had to do to survive and not face the whip. He also represents the traumatic plight that slaves went through as they fell in love, had children, and then were forcefully separated as they were sold off, never to see each other again. Stovall is stunning in this role.
Jill Whelan is marvelous as Elizabeth Van Lew, as her character appears to play both sides of the fence. Whelan plays the character with a great deal of heart. Gordon Goodman gives a memorable performance as Jefferson Davis, a racist, greedy plantation owner, who viewed Black slaves as strictly property and wealth. He portrayed this character as completely oblivious to the suffering he was inflicting on the enslaved, especially when he separated families by selling them off. Josie Divincenzo is captivating as Varina Davis, a woman who has a lot of issues going on, being married to Davis, and wholeheartedly believes in slavery and her right to have slaves. Her character sees Black people as being there to do her bidding. Fred Grandy is engaging as Mr. Slydell, a journalist who covers the Civil War and helps the Union to get messages through.
The technical team for the production includes set and lighting design by Paul Jonathan Davis, sound design, Will Mahood, and costume design, Alex Rockey.
The production is only playing through September 20, so get to Theatre Row at 410 W 42nd Street to support “Lady Patriot”. For tickets, visit TheatreRow.org.
It truly amazes me how none of this was, or is, taught as part of basic US History in school, K-12! Things like this part of history, the Tulsa Massacre, the plight of the Osage American Indians, and others, should be included as part of our American history. These events are just as substantive as is Pearl Harbor or Watergate.