John Brown and nineteen men stormed Harper's Ferry in 1859 and all were killed or captured except for one...Osborne P. Anderson. The only survivor of John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry, Osborne P. Anderson, in his journals, chronicled the black men who fought with Brown at Harper's Ferry: Dangerfield Newby, John A. Copeland, Shields Green, and Lewis Leary. Harper's Ferry is considered by many to be the catalyst for Southern secession which ultimately led to the Civil War. Written and directed by Ted Lange, and based on historical fact, "The Journals of Osborne P. Anderson" combines Lange's signature drama and comedy as it peels away traditional stereotypes prevalent in the South before the Civil War.
The play has received rave reviews with Los Angeles Magazine saying "Kudos to Lange for taking on subject matter from 150 years ago and making it immediate, real, and dangerous." The Los Angeles Beat calls it "A truly exceptional production from script to standing ovation and a definite *must see*!"
Produced by Mary Lange, in association with Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center, the stellar ensemble cast includes Bruce Cervi (Lewis Washington), Adam Clark (Shields Green), Starletta DuPois (Delilah Copeland), Jason Galloway (Albert Hazlett), Gordon Goodman (John Brown), J.D. Hall (Frederick Douglass), Boise Holmes (John Anthony Copeland), Thomas Anthony Jones (Osborne P. Anderson), Daniel Kucan (John Avis), Drew McAuliffe (Judge Richard Parker), Paul Messinger (James Doyle/Lawson Botts), Jeff Murray (Lewis Washington-understudy), Chrystee Pharris (Harriet Newby), Michael Proctor (John Wilkes Booth), William Reinbold (Jeb Stuart/George Sterns), Stephen Spiegel (Silas Soule, Drury Doyle), and Kareem Grimes (Dangerfield Newby).
Although Lange is most often recognized for starring as Isaac Washington, the lovable bartender on the hit series "The Love Boat" for ten seasons, many may not realize that has is also an award-winning theatre director and playwright. He is the author of twenty-four plays and "The Journals of Osborne P. Anderson" is the middle play in his historical trilogy. "George Washington's Boy," the first play, and "Lady Patriot," the third play, were both presented in Los Angles, and then in Winston-Salem, NC at the National Black Theatre Festival to rave reviews. Lange's ability to infuse modern traits into his historical characters makes history accessible and relevant to the viewers. Lange's plays bring audiences to their feet as they are not only entertained but also educated in a black historical viewpoint. Akin to August Wilson's repertoire, many of Lange's plays have garnered prestigious awards and have been performed nationwide. Lange, director, writer, and a prolific actor of stage and screen, is a graduate of London's Royal Academy of the Dramatic Arts, and a recipient of the NAACP Renaissance Man Theatre Award. A history teacher once told Lange that history is written by the victors. Lange's The Journals of Osborne P. Anderson is one of history's untold stories.
Videos