Professor's play brings spirit of war to Fresno

By Tai Arceneaux

The spirit of the American Revolution is brought to life and made relevant to today’s political conflicts in Professor Edward EmanuEl’s “The Liberty Dance of Henry Sparrow.”

The play, which began June 16 and ends Sunday, follows the life of Henry Sparrow, the maternal grandfather of Abraham Lincoln, and a myriad of historic characters during the Revolutionary War.

During the Revolution, colonist were trying to figure out with whom to place their loyalty. Some were for the new fledgling government, believing King George III was abusing his power. However, there were those who remained true to their original government.

EmanuEl, who teaches in the theatre arts department, said that now, about 230 years later, America is experiencing the same political identity crisis. American citizens are divided between supporting the war on Iraq and calling out the government’s falsehood.

“ The battle is apparent, but they are not sure who to trust,” EmanuEl said.

EmanuEl said that in both wars, persecution against freedom was the major adversary. However, people had different interpretations of who was responsible for that enemy.

Sparrow originally does not want to participate in the war. Yet through his travels to different towns he encounters reasons to fight, throwing himself into a moral tug-of-war.

The play also focuses on the irony of institutionalized slavery during a time when the colonies were fighting for their freedom from King George.

Theatre arts Professor Thomas Ellis plays an African prince from the Ashanti tribe who is kidnapped and sold into the slave trade.

Ellis’ character meets the divided Sparrow and shows him the horrors of slavery in order to enlighten his decision to join the war.

“ I talked to Ed and said that it might be a good idea to make all of the white characters, including Sparrow, experience what slaves experienced,” Ellis said.

Ellis said this scene creates a total role reversal that is realistic and powerful.

“ The audience is awestruck by that scene,” Ellis said. “Their mouths are open, they are completely wide-eyed and very alert.”

EmanuEl first wrote the play in 1975 during the Vietnam War. He said that at the time people were sick of war.

A year later the play was awarded the Laureate Award for Best College Play at the American College Student Festival.

There are seven professional actors who transform themselves into 92 characters. Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Burgoyne, King George III and Thomas Jefferson are some of the pivotal personalities.

EmanuEl attributed some of the play’s success to its entertaining historical value, exciting visions and music.

“ It is a spectacular theatrical event,” EmanuEl said.

Thom Bahler, who worked with music mogul Quincy Jones for 25 years, created the music that plays a strong role in the performance. John Osborne developed the same lighting schemes for the play as he did for Diana Ross and the Rolling Stones.

“ The Liberty Dance of Henry Sparrow,” Fresno’s longest running play, takes place at The Palm Center for Performing Arts.

Performance begin at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Call 224-PALM for more information.