Thurgood
Let's just spell it out up front. Laurence Fishburne's
portrayal of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall has to be seen
to be believed. All alone on stage for over ninety-five minutes,
Fishburne captivates the audience with his electrifying performance.
To say it is "tour-de-force" is not exaggerating.
Beautifully written by George Stevens Jr., the play relates the
life of the first African-American to sit on the highest court in the
land in the form of a monologue, delivered by the Justice himself.
There Thurgood is, in the auditorium of Howard University Law
School, giving a lecture to the proud graduates and their families;
and there we are in the audience, hearing the struggles and triumphs of
his life-story. Who would have thought that a subject based on our
country's laws could be dramatized as a lecture full of struggle,
heart and humor.
Beginning with his life as a young boy from the streets of
Baltimore; going through his days at Brown University, then arguing
the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 and being
seated on the Supreme Court; "Thurgood" is interlaced with the
stubborn determination it took for an intelligent, outspoken, hard-
working "person of color" to get there.
Along the way we touch base with blatant bigotry, Plessy vs Fergason,
separate but equal education, Langston Hughes, Charlie Huston, "Jim Crow,"
the 14th amendment, the KKK, the infamous John Davis, Charlie Black, and
Earl Warren. Of course everything affected his personal life.
Director Leonard Foglia had a firm grip on the pulse of Fishburne's
dynamic performance, which demonstrates quality dramatic pacing and timing;
nuanced delivery of anger, humor, and patience; plus a non-stop belief in
the fight for civil rights.
In short, "Thurgood" is a superb, uplifting theatrical experience--
a work that will send you home with renewed faith in humanity. That's
something the world is certainly in need of in our chaotic 21st-century.
"Thurgood" plays Tues-Sun. through Aug. 08; at the Geffen
Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood Village. Call (310)
208-5454, (800) 745-3000 or www.geffenplayhouse.com