During the 1930s, Hoovervilles were popping up all over the country, and it was turning into a time of great hardship and desperation for Americans.
This was a frightening time for most Americans, especially young black Americans, regardless if it was the North or South.
However, one theme that was embraced was jazz music and the feelings and expressions and emotions it helped expose. As Herbie Hancock said, “It pulled me like a magnet, jazz did, because it was a way that I could express myself.”
All of these items and more are represented in Reginald Andre Jackson’s adaptation of “Bud, Not Buddy” directed by Meriah Sage, which opens in the Quirk building at the Sponberg Theatre on Eastern Michigan University’s campus tonight.
The audience is truly taken on the journey with 10-year-old Bud, played by Orlando Bailey. Starting at an orphanage, the set gives off a ruff and desperate look that added to the overall despair. An interesting aspect to this set is the crew could dismantle it to form different locations, such as a library or a jazz house.
“Bud, Not Buddy” is narrative theater, so the characters are constantly jumping back and forth between acting and narrating. The actors do a nice job conveying what exactly is taking place. Ensemble scenes that add moments from the book were beautifully scripted. In the shed scene, Bud has a monologue moment and the rest of the cast helps create this scary imagery that just adds to the mood.
Orlando Bailey does a wonderful job becoming Bud and playing up the innocence and maturity of someone so young. When Bud is getting a ride from Lefty Louis (played by Jesse James Collins) and discovers a box of blood, the only logical things that pop into his mind are vampires.
Though this is a wise and intelligent boy, he is still a child and has an expressive way of looking at life.
“Even during times when the action is slow or serious, the cast does an excellent job of keeping energy and sprits high, especially Orlando, as he truly embodies the essence of a 10-year-old boy,” theater major Catrena Burnett said.
Herman E. Calloway, played by Donald Amerson, is a grumpy and mean old man who questions everything and believes no one. It is amusing to watch Calloway’s band as they tip-toe around him. The cast of the jazz band offers up laughs on each other’s characters and brings a certain family aspect to the show. They are a nice, entertaining change of pace when the show needs a little pick me up.
“Bud, Not Buddy” offers a nice, even mixture of child immaturity and hard-hitting reality. It is a show that gives credit to the 1930s era as well as the hardship of our ancestors and country.
“Bud, Not Buddy” opens tonight at 7 p.m. in the Sponberg Theatre. Show dates are 7 p.m. Thursday – Sunday and another 3 p.m. showing on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased at the EMU box theater located in the Quirk lobby.