Justice Needs to be Served
“These innocent boys are guilty,” the judge says leaving the Scottsboro Boys and viewers alike aghast. This is one line from The Scottsboro Boys that still resonates in my mind, even though it has been days since I saw the musical. This quote captures a truly perverse moment from America’s past, which the show, The Scottsboro Boys so effectively portrays.
The Scottsboro Boys uses the minstrel show art form, and although it is a racist form, it serves very efficiently as a source of comedic alleviation for what is a dark tale of injustice. Some might feel hesitant to go and watch this performance if they hear that it takes on the form of a minstrel show; however, potential viewers shouldn’t let this affect their decision to watch this great show. This is because at the end of the show, when the Scottsboro Boys remove their blackface, and disregard what the interlocutor is telling them to do, they show a much needed sign of rebellion against this form, and the stereotypical limitations forced upon them by it.
Overall, the acting in the musical was engaging and unique. Joshua Henry’s portrayal of Haywood Patterson was one of the most compelling performances I have ever seen. In the playbill, Haywood Patterson is quoted saying, “I don’t tell people stories. I tell the truth.” Joshua Henry acts in accordance with this quote, accurately exhibiting Mr. Patterson’s character. His serious demeanor preserves the significance and gravity of this historical moment, even through the comical scenes that try to alleviate some of the gravity of the story. All of the actors, especially Colman Domingo and Forrest Mcclendon, show their versatility as they tackle quite a few different roles in the show. Although this made some scenes confusing, overall it was a humorous addition. Also, the woman lurking in the background, who we later discover is Rosa Parks, does a great job of blending inconspicuously into the scenes. In addition, just the fact that Rosa Parks was inspired by the incident that occurred with these young men shows both its prominence and influence.
As for the sets, although they were limited, the manner in which they were utilized was very effective. When I took my seat, and looked at the stage I saw a cluster of chairs; if someone were to tell me that all of the sets in the show would comprise of just these chairs, along with a few pieces of wood, I wouldn’t have believed them. However as the show unfolded, these chairs began to transform magically into different things such as a train, a jail cell and more. At times I truly felt as if these chairs were actually what the actors were trying to show them to be. Lighting helped establish the moods for every scene, and made the sets even more realistic. Perhaps the most eye-catching scene from the show was the electric chair scene, in which lighting played a major role. It used electricity and flashing lights to keep the attention of viewers glued to the stage. The sets and lighting helped give life to the settings exhibited in the musical.
The music and the dancing served as the backbone for the musical. Hidden almost completely under the stage, the orchestra set the tone for every scene. For the darker or more nerve-racking scenes, such as those that showed the judge’s decisions, bass was prominent, and the bass drum was used to keep it strong. However, for the most part, melodic instruments such as the trumpet are put in the forefront. The dancing, especially for the melodic scenes ranged from being completely wacky to completely synchronized. I found this very interesting, because I saw the synchronization as a representation of the constraints of the minstrel show form, and the wackiness as a representation of the freedom and justice sought by the boys. What I found as an entertaining feature was that the actors didn’t merely serve as actors and dancers; they also participated in creating the music, whether it was with the tambourines or by stomping their feet.
The Scottsboro Boys is an experience unlike any other. It is an exhilarating and creative combination of acting, music, and even comedy, which exhibits the story of a group of innocent young men who deal with America’s tainted justice system of the past. The Scottsboro Boys is definitely a must see show for all types of viewers.
