by Daleel Jabir Muhammad @DaleelJabir7
NEW YORK—A brilliant musical masterpiece captivated the audience at the premiere of “Bronzeville: The Musical” at the world-famous Apollo Theater in Harlem.
The production team of the Chicago-based Mahdi Theatre Company, led by founder, producer and playwright Margaret Mahdi, told “our history” through the lens of the struggles of the great migration from the South to the North, as Black people looked for better living conditions and viable opportunities.
There were two performances, Nov. 16 and 17. From the outset, the musical selections and the well-choreographed youthful dance groups, weaved together various themes during the production.
This included showing the peer pressure of being accepted in a street culture of violence, crime, destruction, and unrest, to connect them to the positive history and heritage of their past as taught by their family and other elders.
A profound account of history was captured as the cast members danced, sang, while historical footage played on a screen. From lynchings in the South, the racial violence of Red Summer, and the Great Depression era to the Great Migration where many Blacks left Southern states like Arkansas and Mississippi to settle in the North.
The play told the story of the Brown family patriarch moving from the South to the North and opening a Black-owned and operated business in the Bronzeville section of Chicago where he started a small family market.
The play’s message was clear by expressing and showing the need to serve our community, support our own, and create economic sustainability to pass down to future Black generations.
The greatness and living legacies of the kings of Mali to Marcus Mosiah Garvey, to the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, were shown on the screen and conveyed a message of Black consciousness that connected our roots to greatness.
The acting was a superb display of energy, emotions, and vivid expressions from all the actors. Audience members were moved by the performances.
“I really enjoyed the two dynamics of the story melding today’s current scene to the history and the legacy of the past. I liked how they allowed the young protagonist to walk into his own truth by being reintroduced to his history through the eyes of his parents and to figure out where he was in life,” Zanaya Brown said.
“I truly enjoyed the beautiful dancing and the singing in the show. This production was well put together,” she added.
Her sister Fantasia Brown also enjoyed the show. “I thought it was very important to tell our knowledge, our history, our legacy because no one can teach it like we can. It was good to see us in a positive light at the end,” said Fantasia Brown.
Theatergoers traveled from the East Coast, West Coast, the South and Midwest by plane, buses, and cars to be at the New York showing of Bronzeville.
Daleese Russell who lives in Bronzeville traveled by bus to be at the Apollo. “I had to be here to see this play because it’s about my hometown. It is relatable because my grandfather migrated from Louisiana to Chicago many years ago and we’re nine generations from that time still living in Chicago,” he said.
Olivia Muhammad also traveled from Chicago. “This play was about unity, love and family and I enjoyed it tremendously,” she said.
Supermodel Beverly Johnson attended the Sunday, Nov. 17 matinee show. “The play represented the truth about the Great Migration … I loved every moment of it.
I have never seen anything like it! The performances, actors, dancers, the storyline, and musical score was exceptional. The musical should be presented on Broadway. It is ready for Broadway,” said Ms. Johnson.
Reginald Mitchell, host of Another Perspective on WHCR radio, said, “this musical play was very informative and it’s story needed to be told because there is a Bronzeville in every community in the world.”
He called the acting and music great, “but the young performers were absolutely fantastic,” he added. “Seeing the accuracy and discipline of the drill team with the sisters and brothers in synch made me want to cry with joy. I loved it.”
Margaret Mahdi thanked those whose prayers, hard work, unity and effort helped to accomplish such a great feat.
“What really brought this noble effort together was the divine and sacred prayer of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, who called us on November 11, days before the play’s opening in Harlem, and told us.
‘Hold tightly to Allah’s (God’s) Hand …this is big, but Allah is bigger.’ The Messiah’s prayers, along with the Believers’ prayers were answered. Putting Allah front and center in any noble endeavor, your success is guaranteed,” she said.
Ms. Mahdi also acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the believers and laborers of Mosque No. 7, including Student Minister Arthur Muhammad, Student Regional F.O.I. Captain Majied Muhammad, Student Regional M.G.T. Captain Johnna Muhammad, Student Regional Secretary Steven Muhammad.
Regional Protocol Director Daleel Jabir Muhammad, Student F.O.I. Captain Richard Muhammad, Brother Joe and his wife, Sister Arnise, the students of Muhammad University of Islam-NY, and the Mahdi Theatre Company for the success of the event. —Daleel Jabir Muhammad
