Student Organizations

Sign-up posted outside Weitz 213.

About the play:

Harlem Nocturne is set in New York City in the summer of 1927 at the height of what has become known as “The Harlem Renaissance.” Although it’s a “period” play it deals with issues around race that are sadly still relevant.

The central characters in the play are representatives of what the people whose efforts created and drove the Renaissance termed “The New Negro,” African-American’s whose educations and economic circumstances should have positioned them to achieve the “American Dream” but for their place in the racial caste system. The play explores the conflicts within and between family members and old friends that are generated by the contradictions of living with what W.E.B. DuBois called “...this double- consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others...”

The play uses irony and (the author certainly hopes) humor to deal with “passing.” Two of the central characters are African-Americans whose complexions allow them to live as white when they choose to. It explores color prejudice among African-Americans, class consciousness, family conflict, the necessity of friendship and the consolations of art and music, along with the simple fact that there are loves and losses that affect us all in ways that transcend even race.

Characters:

Jane Leon, an “English” Actress, born in Philadelphia, African-American but light enough to pass as a white woman without suspicion from any quarter.  Which she does.

Rhetta Grant, Urban League employee, Jane’s friend since childhood, from Philadelphia, African-American and light enough to pass as white though many Negroes would suspect her of doing so.

Fisher Grant, Doctor, Rhetta’s husband, friends with Jimmy, Gerry and Hugh, from New York City, African-American and dark enough to make it impossible for him to be admitted to places Rhetta goes.

Jimmy Davis, Singer, Dancer, Artist, Gay, friends with Jane, Fisher and James, from Salt Lake City, African-American with skin dark enough to draw disdain from many lighter Negroes.

James Barry, Theatrical Producer, Jane’s companion, friends with Jimmy, from London, Irish Catholic and Irish Nationalist, knows Jane is passing, has issues with the English.

Geraldyne (Gerry) Ellis, Reporter, friends with Rhetta, Fisher and Jimmy, from Washington DC, African-American, High Yellow (light brown skin) complexion, born into Washington’s light elite.

Hugh Darden, Gerry’s boyfriend, friends with everyone he meets, Jane’s occasional lover, from DC, African-American, High Yellow, scion of a rich DC family, no need to work.

Cameron (Cam) Hayes, Jazz musician, friends with Jimmy and Jackie, from Neshoba County, MS, African-American and with skin color dark enough the mark him as a Negro.

Jackie Spalding, Vaudeville comedienne, friends with Cam and Jimmy, from Caldwell County, NC, African-American, dark enough the mark her as a Negro.

William Hall, Waiter, belongs to Rhetta’s church, Hazel’s husband, from New Haven CT, African-American, dark enough to be seen as a Negro.

Hazel Hall, the Grant’s maid, William’s wife, belong’s to Rhetta’s church, from Boston MA, African-American, dark enough to be seen as a Negro.

Robert Upshaw, Elevator operator, Fisher’s patient, from Birmingham AL, African-American, dark enough to be seen as a Negro, may be played by the actor who plays Cam.

Vernon Brooks, Waiter, husband, father of five, Fisher’s patient, from Columbia SC, African-American, dark enough to be seen as a Negro, may be played by the actor who plays Jimmy.

Florence Porter, Nurse, classically trained Soprano, belongs to Rhetta’s church, from Los Angeles. African-American, light skin, may be played by the actor who plays Gerry

CASTING NOTE: Casting needs to be precise with respect to complexion.  Jane in particular must read as “white” and should, if necessary, be played by an actor who does not identify as a person of color.