Joe Turner's Come and Gone

This is an August Wilson’s production at the Mark Taper, directed by Phylicia Rashad.  I’ve always enjoyed Mr. Wilson’s plays and this is just another edition of his work.  Unfortunately, Mr. Wilson passed away soon after Radio Golf was presented at the Mark Taper.  I don’t remember seeing that play, hence the reason for the summaries and critiques of all the performances we’ve seen since 2009. 

This play takes place in the early 1900’s in Pittsburgh.  A couple owns a rooming house and has several characters that rent rooms in their home and we see the interaction.  I find Mr. Wilson’s work very interesting because it portrays the black characters during the era of American history, yet brings in the flavor of their culture.  Despite 40-50 years earlier when many members of their race were slaves, this couple is proud and owns property.  They have their moral and spiritual standards and will not stand for anything less from their tenants.

The primary focus in this play was a man and his little girl who have traveled for many years looking for his wife who left them.  He is a mysterious dark man, travel worn with a long coat and dusty boots. People draw back from the tormented angry look, yet he tenderly holds the hand of his daughter who is well behaved. 

We learn later that his wife is doing well as a respectable church leader in the neighborhood.  She was also looking for them, but was always one step behind them.  With great sadness, the man leaves his little girl with her mother because that is what is best for her.  As he leaves, a female tenant runs after him.

I always leave his plays with greater understanding and empathy not only for the African-American, but with people in general.