ABOUT THE PLAY
In a segregated Louisiana army camp in 1944, the murder of rancorous Black sergeant Vernon C. Waters, the sergeant of a Black company, stirs deep-seated animosity and corruption among the soldiers under his command. Captain Taylor, the white C.O., worries the murderer may be a white officer or the local Klan. Richard Davenport, a Black clean-cut Northern captain, is assigned to investigate. Taylor, fearing the assignment of a Black investigator means the case is to be swept under the rug, attempts to discourage Davenport. But Davenport perseveres, discovering deep-seated hatred and corruption among the men in the company. Despite each soldier’s motive for the killing, Davenport eventually solves the case, revealing a truth more shocking than the murder itself.
A SOLDIER’S PLAY
By Charles Fuller
Directed by ShawnJ West
Tickets: Single Tickets are $35 Adult, $33 Senior, $33 for Students
When: May 26-June 25, Friday/Saturday 8 PM, Sunday 2 PM; also playing on Thursday, June 22, 8 PM
Where: Altarena Playhouse
1409 High Street, Alameda, CA 94501
THE CAST
Tech/Sergeant Vernon C. Waters: Fred Pitts
Captain Charles Taylor: Drew Paton
Corporal Bernard Cobb: Mark McHenry
Private First Class Melvin Peterson: Gary Moore
Corporal Ellis: Adam C. Torrian
Private Louis Henson: Terrance Smith
Private James Wilkie: Hosea Morgan
Private Tony Smalls: Jake Fong
Captain Richard Davenport: Dedrick Weathersby
Private C.J. Memphis: Tory Williams
Lieutenant Byrd: Sean Purcell
Captain Wilcox: Aaron Seymour
PRODUCTION STAFF
Artistic Director: Katina Psihos Letheule
Director: ShawnJ West
Technical Director: Brian Grove
Stage Manager: Liam Kirk
Assistant Casting Director: Kimberly Ridgeway
Set Designer: Jon Gourdine
Set Construction: Tom Curtin
Scenic Artisan: Helen Rivas
Lighting Designer: Stephanie Johnson
Sound Designer: Ray Archie
Costume Designer: Corrida Carr
Property Designer: Susan Dunn
Fight Director: Kristen Matia
General Manager: Kari Warfield
Box Office Manager: David Saltzer
House Manager: Candis Thomas
Graphic Designer: Jayme Catalano
Photography: Grizzly De Haro
Program Design: Laurel Wilton
Ushers: Bayview Women’s Club
PRODUCTION SPONSORS
Armando Fox
William & Cynthia Schaff
Nadine Barbera
Ron & Susan Briggs
Laura Morgan
SEASON SPONSORS
C’era Una Volta
Kim & Dale Arrivee
Dona Fuller
Bill & Jackie Gibbs
Gary & Katherine Hoffer
Pat Macholl
Faye Wilson