The story covers the life and times of Robeson, the son of a former slave, who was involved with the Civil Rights and labor movements, advocated pro-Soviet policies and once lived in Enfield, Conn.
Floyd Patterson II will portray Paul Robeson in "Robeson" at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield.
WEST SPRINGFIELD—Nearly 15 years ago acclaimed musician Floyd Patterson II came to the Majestic Theater as legendary singer, athlete, scholar, actor and humanitarian Paul Robeson in the show "Robeson;” pianist Marcus Pitts joined him for the show.
Both are returning to the theater for one performance of the show only on Monday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m.
“For years Floyd has wanted to do the show again,” said Danny Eaton, producing director and founder of The Theater Project who will direct the play written by Philip Hayes Dean.
Since the Unison Art Center in New Paltz, N.Y., requested a performance of the show during Black History Month—February--Eaton thought the time was right to bring the show back to the Majestic too.
“Even though the play is about Paul Robeson—a pretty amazing singer—there’s not a lot of singing. It’s more about his life than about his singing,” Eaton said.
The story covers the life and times of Robeson, the son of a former slave, who was involved with the Civil Rights and labor movements and advocated pro-Soviet policies He lived in Enfield, Conn., during the McCarthy Era when he was blacklisted for his political beliefs.
“It took a tremendous amount of courage to take on the issues he did,” said Patterson, a Springfield actor and musician. “He lived a very, very extraordinary life.”
Robeson spoke in favor of communism, saying there was no racism in the Soviet Union, Patterson said, adding that Robeson also said it was inconceivable that Black people would go to war on behalf of the United States, a nation that discriminated against them.
Robeson was eventually blacklisted, and his passport was taken away from him so he could not travel, though Patterson said he did manage to sing for gatherings in Europe via telephone.
Patterson related the story of Robeson’s participation on the football team at Rutgers University when the team was all white. “They didn’t want him on the team,” he explained, and some players beat him up, sending him to the hospital for 10 days. “But he went right back” to the team, saying ‘I belong here.’ He became the best player on the team and was an All-American” player.
In 1924, Robeson was cast in the play “All God's Chillun Got Wings” and later starred in “Emperor Jones.” He played Othello in the Broadway production of “Othello.”
His films include “Sanders of the River Showboat,” “Song of Freedom” and “Tales of Manhattan.”
His sang “Ol’ Man River,” “Anthem of the USSR,” “Go Down Moses” and “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” among many others.
Robeson--who died in Philadelphia in 1976 at the age of 77--has been described as having a “superman mystique," an “imposing figure who strutted across the stage of American culture.”
Eaton said Patterson captures that mystique in his performance through the strength of his personality: “He’s a physically imposing kind of guy, but he has this sort of outgoing charm about him. That has made him a successful performer for years and years here in the valley.”
Patterson’s father, heavyweight champion of the world Floyd Patterson, saw the Robeson play when it first was presented at the Majestic. “He loved it. He really enjoyed it,” Patterson said. “Like a lot of people, he did not have a clear understanding of what Paul Robeson was about. But he felt he came away more educated about who Paul Robeson was.”
Patterson the actor said he is inspired by the way Robeson held himself to higher standards than other people would. “Anything he did he always held himself to a higher calling. His purpose was not just to gain accomplishments for himself but to pave the way and leave a place for those who came after.”
The Theater Project is a non-profit company that Eaton founded in 1991. Since March 1997 it has been in residence in West Springfield's historic Majestic Theater, a century-old venue. Learn more about it at www.majestictheater.com.
Tickets for "Robeson" are $24 and $27 and are available at the Majestic Theater box office or by calling (413) 747-7797 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.