Lucy Anne Hurston, the niece and biographer of Harlem Renaissance writer Zora Neale Hurston, will talk about the literary legend on Saturday, February 11 following the play “Zora Neale Hurston" at the Castillo Theatre, 543 West 42nd Street.
Kim Brockington stars as Zora Neale Hurston from February 10 – 12, in the play written by Laurence Holder, directed by Wynn Handman and presented by the National Black Touring Circuit’s Black History Month Play Festival.
Lucy Anne Hurston, the author of Speak, So You Can Speak Again: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston, was only three years old when Zora died in relative obscurity. Lucy Anne Hurston has, over her lifetime, compiled a detailed knowledge of her aunt’s life and work with a historian’s observant eye. Lucy Anne Hurston’s own work as an academic sociologist, with field research in Jamaica and St. Kitts, among other places, provides her with a unique connection to her aunt’s perspective and life. She has been the producer and host of two documentaries on Zora and the director of a high school production of her play “Mule Bone.” Lucy Anne Hurston currently is the chairman of the sociology department at Manchester Community College in Connecticut.
“Zora Neale Hurston” is a dramatic biography that examines the life of this famous writer and anthropologist of the Harlem Renaissance. The play follows
Hurston from the all Black town of Eatonville, Florida to becoming the first Black graduate from Barnard College in New York City and ultimately into her personal journey as a writer, exploring Black folklore and anthropology. Brockington’s credits include “Guiding Light,” “The West Wing,” “Law & Order” and a powerful performance as Hurston in the acclaimed PBS “American Masters” television special on the famed writer and anthropologist.
“Zora was ahead of her time. Zora was feisty, fiery, strong, intelligent, bodacious, independent and way ahead her time. She was always authentic, always herself as a Black woman. She loved being Black and couldn't imagine wanting to be anything but that. She wanted to collect the stories, and ways of her people thought it should be celebrated and not changed and watered down,” said Brockington. “Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Gloria Naylor who are my writing ‘Sheroes’ would not be who they are or write as they do had not Zora existed! She was the first female black writer to boldly write about her people exactly as they are--because she felt it was important. They were beautiful and extraordinary as they were.”
On Friday, February 10, Dr. Brenda Greene, professor of English, executive director of the Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College and the National Black Writers Conference, will conduct a presentation on Zora Neale Hurston.
The performance is part of the National Black Touring Circuit’s Black History Month Play Festival exploring the lives of African American historical figures A. Philip Randolph, Zora Neale Hurston, Adam Clayton Powell and Congresswoman Barbara Jordan in theaters throughout New York City from February 3 – 26.
The Black History Month Play Festival showcases a different biographical play each week, featuring three performances. In addition, there will be post-play discussions focusing on issues these African American politicians faced during their lifetimes. The Black History Month Play Festival is produced by Woodie King, Jr., the producer/director of the National Black Touring Circuit and Kim Weston Moran, associate producer. “These plays remind us that it’s important to honor the determination and accomplishments of these African American political heroes,” said King. “Each of them had a major role in changing and impacting American history and culture.”
