It is Bessemer, Alabama, in 1966, and Thunder has rolled into town.
Marvell Thunder, a blue-eyed, guitar-toting stranger, pays a visit to members of the Dupree family, who have seen more than their share of troubles. But things are about to change. Thunder's strange power soon will lead the House of Dupree to one of two possible fates: ultimate destruction or lasting salvation.
"Thunder Knocking on the Door," the final play of the Yale Repertory Theatre's 1996-97 season, will be performed at the Rep May 1-24. The work of renowned playwright Keith Glover, "Thunder" is directed by Reggie Montgomery and features the music of Keb' Mo' Kevin Moore , this year's Grammy-winner for best contemporary blues album.
"I'm really excited about this production, especially because of the music," says dramaturg Elizabeth Bennett. "The playwright calls it a 'bluesical,'" she adds, noting that music is so significant to the work that house musicians will be visible onstage during the performance.
In the play, music "is a sacred tradition," Ms. Bennett explains. "When the father dies, part of his legacy is two guitars. The guitars have been watching over the children since their birth." The legacy is threatened, however, when "the son loses a guitar to a trickster," says Ms. Bennett . "There's a sense that he lost part of the family, sold a piece of the family away.
"The play is about the choices we make, the tough decisions that everybody has," Ms. Bennett notes. "It's really about opening up to the possibility of magic in our lives, that the people and situations we encounter can be a source of magic."
The blues music underscores the play's mystical quality, says Ms. Bennett. "Musical rhythms are written into the dialogue -- the music really comes out of the dialogue," she comments. "It's wonderful, wonderful music."
"Thunder Knocking on the Door" features nine original songs by Keb' Mo'. In addition to his work as an award-winning recording artist, the guitarist-singer-songwriter has performed at some of the world's leading music festivals, including the Chicago Blues Festival, the Montreaux Jazz Festival and North Sea Jazz Festival. His song "Crapped Out" is on the soundtrack album for the film "Tin Cup" starring Kevin Costner.
Playwright Keith Glover was honored with the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Prize for New Plays, as well as a Pulitzer Prize nomination, for his most recent work, "In Walks Ed." His "Dancing on Moonlight" was produced in 1995 by the Joseph Papp Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival, and "Coming of the Hurricane" was staged at the Crossroads Theater Company and Arena Stage. Also a director and actor, Mr. Glover has appeared in regional productions of "Two Trains Running," "Pill Hill" and "Fences." His television credits include the series "New York Undercover" and a recurring role in the daytime drama "As the World Turns." He also was seen in the movie "Jackknife" with Robert DeNiro.
Director Reggie Montgomery recently staged Hartford Stage Company productions of "I Ain't Yo' Uncle," "The Colored Museum" and "Spunk." Also an accomplished actor, Mr. Montgomery won acclaim for his performances in the latter two plays at the New York Shakespeare Festival. At the Yale Rep, he played Abraham Lincoln in the Obie Award-winning production of "The America Play." He has directed regional productions of "Ceremonies in Dark Old Men," "Antigone," "Blackgirl" and "Arsenic and Old Lace." Mr. Montgomery has the distinction of being the first African-American clown to perform with the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. Veteran Broadway performer Steve Bargonetti serves as music director for "Thunder." His credits range from "Hello, Dolly!" to "Jelly's Last Jam," and he has performed with entertainers as diverse as Anita Baker, Dwight Yoakam and Kathleen Battle. Mr. Bargonetti has received both ASCAP and Billboard Awards for songwriting.
The cast of "Thunder Knocking on the Door" includes Kim Brockington, Jerry Dixon, Sheyvonne Wright, Ron Cephas Jones and Cedric Turner.
Also collaborating on the production are scenic designer Charles McClennahan, costume designer Jess Goldstein, lighting designer Donald Holder, sound designer Jane Shaw, choreographer Hope Clarke, and resident stage manager James D'Asaro.
The Yale Repertory Theatre is located at 1120 Chapel St. corner of York . Preview performances are Thursday-Saturday, May 1-3, at 8 p.m., and Monday, May 5, at 7 p.m. Opening night is Tuesday, May 6, at 8 p.m. Thereafter the play will be presented nightly at 8 p.m., 7 p.m. on Mondays. There are no Sunday performances. Matinees will be offered at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, 17 and 24, and Wednesday, May 21. Tickets range from $25 to $30; group rates and student discounts are available. For tickets and more information, call the Yale Rep Box Office at 432-1234.