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EVENT  //  Stage play

sugar in our wounds

by Dianna Donahue - 01.29.2023
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If you have not heard about the iconic hit play "Sugar In Our Wounds," you are missing a treat. Under the direction of Kenneth Gaddie, the play's opening night was on January 13 and has sold out more than several times. The play was created by Afro-Queer award-winning playwright, poet, and Philadelphian filmmaker Donja R. Love. His plays are designed to specifically tell stories of Black and Queer people, for Black and Queer people, and "Sugar In Our Wounds" does just that with its exploration of queer love among Black people during the historically pivotal moments of the Civil War era.

Under the direction of Arkansas native Kenneth Gaddie, The Weekend Theater's presentation of "Sugar In Our Wounds" follows Love's overall theme for the play. The setting is Antebellum 1862 on a southern plantation home to a Black makeshift family of displaced enslaved human beings. It is made up of James (Antwon Staton), eager to learn how to read and stay out of trouble; Aunt Mama (K.V. Knox), the glue, strength, and wisdom of them all; and Mattie (Chasity Thomas), a young girl entering womanhood.

The "family" frequently finds refuge and rest on Sundays under a massive, mystical tree on the plantation grounds that reaches the heavens. The connection to the tree is deep for James and Aunt Mama as the tree speaks to them, but deeper for James as it was used to hang his forefathers, and he refuses to be next in his line – especially as the war is drawing to an end and freedom is so close.

They take in a runaway enslaved man named Henry (Willie Lucius), who is hell-bent on finding the family he was torn away from to return to his sense of love. His persistent rage to get home is eventually soothed by the bond he makes with James. Their connection is confusing but powerful enough for them to embrace it – even if it costs them their lives.

Director Kenneth Gaddie is a film, theatre, and television artist and a season 13 contestant of American Idol. His extensive artistic resume includes an actor with roles in plays such as Cuckoos Nest, Shawshank Redemption, Memphis, Dreamgirls, and Kinky Boots. He has also performed worldwide with names like Smokie Norful, Lawrence Hamilton, Tommy Davidson, Rodney Bryant, Ray Grady, Cissy Houston, Nate Williams, S. Juain Young of Artist United, and others. To accent his growing resume, Gaddie is also a Broadway Star-To-Be National Finalist.

His influence on the presentation of "Sugar In Our Wounds" is an insightful perspective of what it cost Black people to be "different" during a time when being Black was different enough. Many of the themes of the play are mirroring for people today.

Additional actors in this play include Miki Gaynor, Alexis Johnson, William W. Wofford, Kristy Hutchinson, Sarah Guinee, and Evan Hamilton. The play's last showing was originally set for January 29, but the demand nudged The Weekend Theater to extend the performance for an extra week, so you still have time to catch it. Due to this show's evoked emotions, context, and content, I do not suggest bringing children. However, for that same reason, I do suggest that the sensitive at heart bring a tissue. Tickets can be purchased at www.WeekendTheater.org. The Weekend Theatre is located at 1001 West 7th Street in Little Rock.

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ur·bane \ər-ˈbān\: adj. notably polite or polished in manner
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  • HOME
  • CURRENT ISSUE
  • URBANE's Finest of 2023
  • HIGHLIGHTS
    • URBANE Stories
    • Arkansas Black History
    • NishaSpeaks
    • Readers' Choice
    • Listen First
    • Business Spotlight
    • URBANE Eats
    • Arkansas Black Graduates >
      • 2023 Graduates
      • 2022 Graduates
      • 2021 Graduates
    • Mothers' Day Tributes >
      • 2022 Mothers
      • 2021 Mothers
    • Fathers' Day Tributes >
      • 2022 Fathers
      • 2021 Fathers
  • GALLERY
    • 2023 >
      • CBR'z Catering's Food Truck
      • Sisters in the Movement: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
      • UAPB Black History Month Program 2023
      • 2023 UAMS Midsouth Black Expo
      • Alivia Beauty Co Grand Opening
      • 2nd Friday Art Night
      • 2nd Anniversary Mixer
      • 2023 MLK Recommitment Celebration
      • CAAC 2023 Founders Day
      • Honorable Swearing-In
    • 2022 >
      • 72nd Annual Debutante Ball
      • Kappa Christmas Ball
      • Realtist Choice Awards Gala
      • 2022 Wingtips Blazers & Stilettos
      • Truth Sauce Story Premier
      • 2022 Black Empowerment Awards
      • Frank Scott Watch Party
      • Chris Jones Watch Party
      • 2022 John H Johnson Day
      • 2022 LR Full Figure Fashion Show
      • Flyght Black
      • Charley Palmer
      • Black Mayors Association 50th Anniversary
      • Black Owned NWA Expo
      • Tjuana Byrd Internship Program Closing Reception
      • 2022 UAMS Midsouth Black Expo
      • 2022 NBA Championship Trophy Tour
      • HMTC 50th Reunion
      • Scott Campaign Office Opening
      • Chief Keith
      • Sister Friends United 14
      • Camp Unidad
      • The Black Derby Brunch
      • Delois J Braggs
      • Coach Davis Dedication
      • 1st Anniversary Mixer
      • Who Is Scipio Africanus Jones
      • Stephanie Hobbs
      • 2022 King Kennedy Awards
      • Emerging Arkansas Artists Showcase
      • Bank On America
    • 2021 >
      • MLK Christmas
      • Fredrick Love
      • Black Caucus
      • 2021 Wingtips Blazers & Stilettos
      • Arkansas RGB Music Showcase
      • Korto Momolo Fashion Show
      • Flyght Black Wine Tasting
      • New Black Panther Party
      • Speak Now
      • Same Different Amazing
      • Return of The Mac
      • Bobby Portis Foundation Back-2-School
      • Bobby Portis Foundation Gala
      • Worship Recharge Concert
      • Jones Bar-B-Q
      • Natalie James
      • We The People
      • Being Your Own Boss
      • Meet The Editor
      • BizAr Networking Mixer
      • The Honorable Choice
      • Creme de la Creme
      • Green Book Exhibit Opening Reception
      • Sister Friends United
      • Brae Leni & Friends
  • LOCAL GUIDES
    • Central
    • Northeast
    • Northwest
    • Southeast
    • Southwest
  • CALENDAR
  • STORE
    • Giveaways
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    • Sponsorships
    • Individual Issue
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  • CONTACT URBANE
    • Submit a Request
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      • Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
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