Review Fix chats with playwright Darryl Reuben Hall who discusses his production at the Midtown International Theatre Festival, “The Dinner.†Breaking down the inspiration for the performance, as well as his goals for the future, Hall lets us know exactly why we should check out the production.
For more information on the production and the MITF, click here.
Review Fix: What was the inspiration for this production?
Daryl Reuben Hall: I was actually in Milwaukee working at a local regional theatre company. We were on break so I went back to my room, had on the TV, and on came The Roosevelt’s documentary by Ken Burns. The short amount of time that I was in the room was the exact time the commentary spoke of this historical event between President Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington. It grabbed my soul. I knew immediately that I was to work this into a stage drama. It’s American history and I love history. I’m sure it will inspire conversation on equality.
Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Hall: The Creative process is whatever it takes to make a production, actor, cast, and crew believable and in the moment. I was one of those individuals who’d studied everything but acting/theatre. (I actually hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Florida.) But, I’d audition for local productions and practically everything theme park in Florida and would book the job. The professional experience became my school. After moving to NY, I later studied the Meisner Technique. Overall, my process engages the imagination, reflection, psychological gestures and movement. Regarding THE DINNER, due to its racial nature, one would begin with a table read and breaking down the actual moments of dialogue that occurred during the early 1900s. It’s an incredibly different lifestyle than we live today.
Review Fix: What makes you different from other playwrights?

Hall: I strongly believe in diversity. That’s African-American theatre, Asian theatre, Puerto Rican theatre, Irish theatre, Biblical/Gospel theatre, a theatre designed by and for Seniors, etc. and I’m not afraid to tackle the historical truths. I want the honest truth regardless of how brutal it may be in comparison to reality. There is no need to sweep truths underneath the carpet. Let it all come forth that it may enlighten, inspire, and encourage others of all walks of life to strive for something better and to co-op as a people.
Review Fix: What makes this production special?

Hall: I’ve penned an entertaining piece taken directly from headlines of newspapers across the country. We can’t run from the past, but we can certainly learn from it. This is not a political agenda but one rather of enlightenment. It’s the truth, the honest truth as defined in acting. Our set designer has created this past early 1900s era using projections as visual imagery that strikingly takes you to this place and time. The is deliberately a shortage of ‘color’ throughout looking through the simplicity of black and white.
Review Fix: How is your cast unique?
Hall: The uniqueness of the cast of THE DINNER is very versatile in that more than one actor has the opportunity to portray more than one character throughout the play. This type of casting makes for an actor to create out of the box and create a character different from the others. We are a diverse cast giving opportunities for exploration in presenting this work. Cast members have appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Film and Television. We’re a cast of various backgrounds.
Review Fix: What did you learn about yourself through this process?

Hall: I’m not sure that I learned much about myself but that I did learn is to stick to my gut and vision and to remain true to what the voice of the work is clearly saying. One must be bold in telling stories.
Review Fix: How does it feel to be a part of this festival?

Hall: All of this surprisingly happened suddenly. I found out about the submissions, took a chance and here I am. I am beyond ecstatic. I look forward to the works of the other playwrights and producers because it takes so much time, money, effort, and sometime heartache to make all of this happen and to be able to present my original work, THE DINNER, in midtown Manhattan is a special treat. I will even have family flying in from Florida to support my work and me.
Review Fix: What are your goals for the production?

Hall: During one of our first table reads, someone asked what did I want the audience to take with them and how deep was I going with this piece. My answer was to ‘not’ sugar coat the truth, to let the honest truth be told that when audiences leave the theatre (in this cast the Davenport Theatre) that the show will spark conversation and have us to realize how far we’ve come as a universe of diverse people. We are able to dine with people of all backgrounds, colors, and creeds although there may be pockets of separatists in America. But, I choose to believe that we are 90% removed from this sort of learned and unwanted behavior.
Review Fix: Who do you think will enjoy it the most?

Hall: Although I believe THE DINNER is for all audiences, I would think that it is best suited for audiences that believe in equality for all people. Young and old. Red, yellow, black, and white. Lovers of politics, presidential lifestyles, civil and social history, American history, Black history, power, histories of the White House, and strong opinionated individuals will all enjoy THE DINNER.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Hall: My everyday responsibility is to oversee, as CEO and Founder, of Stage Aurora Theatrical Company located in Jacksonville, FL. Our mission is ‘to enlighten the mind by way of the Arts through the African-American experience’. It’s challenging flying up and down the East coast and making connections but I’ve been in operations for 15 years and I’m still standing. Now it’s time to move onto the national scene of theatre and unlock many other jewels I’ve penned over the past several years. The 16th Midtown International Theatre Festival is the first great step.
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