Black Angels Over Tuskegee: I Believe I Can Fly

Good news! Playwright Layon's Gray's superbly acted and entertaining play, Black Angels Over Tuskegee has been extended until June 2010. If you haven't seen it, please check it out. You won't be disappointed.

Having seen the Black Angels a couple of times, I have become more appreciative of what men of color had to endure in the early days of the Air Force. A memorable line in the play occurs in the second act when the frustrated Angels say they will never be allowed to go home or train white pilots.

Thanks to this play, I more fully appreciate the journey and significance of men like Lloyd "fig " Newton, an African American, retired four star general, and Commander of Air Education and Training Command headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base--- responsible for 13 bases and training over 43, 000 active duty members. Wow-wonder what the Black Angels would have thought of him.

In 1974, Newton became the first black man to fly with the elite Thunderbirds, the Air Force's demonstration team-- that is, after having been rejected 3 times! Newton states that many people tried to discourage him. But, I suppose, like the Black Angels, he never gave up. His tenacity certainly paid off. Not only was he later invited to be a senior military advisor for the Obama administration, Newton was also selected as to be a 2009 White House Fellow--only 11 to 19 of the thousands of applications are accepted for this highly coveted and prestigious fellowship.

Gotta tell you-had it not been for Black Angels, I probably would not have known much about Newton. This is one of the reasons I love the theatre. Education is key, as the Black Angels remind us often in the play. No where is this more evident than when the talented David Wendell Boykins, in the role of Theodore, earnestly says that he just wants to do his "best".

So, if you are impressed with Newton's story, then you will be certainly be impressed and perhaps feel a sense of pride after seeing Black Angels Over Tuskegee --a rich and enagaging story of a group of six trailblazing fighter pilots who paved the way for men like Newton.

Please don't miss the stellar performances by the six amazing actors, not to mention the outstanding narration by Thadeus Daniels(Law and Order).

Black Angels is now playing at St. Lukes Theatre, 308 W. 46th between 8th and 9th avenues. 212-239-6300, http://www.telecharge.com/

Review By The Black Art & Entertainment Whisperer

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