Paul Laurence Dunbar

April 20, 2017

Oni Lasana Doin’ Dunbar as ‘Lias’ Mother @ New Courtland, Germantown PA

Who will understand this story? Maybe only my drama mama’s, The West Chester Community Performers, who I’ve directed and schooled to interpret and perform the poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poetry.  I am certain, Sheri Lawrence, who charms as the “Coquette Conquered” will understand all this story tells. Dunbar fans and scholar's fo' sho! Or, in the end, you'll get it too!

I am often employed via the Art-Reach Artist roster, listed under storytelling and theater. One of the programs I offer is my very favorite, “Doin’ Dunbar as ‘Lias’ Mother” featuring the poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar. It is a interactive one woman play, usually I find my son "Elias" out of the audience to feel the wrath of improvisation on the stage for 15 minutes. School children love it. Adults are flattered too, when I do include a Sam or directly address Ms. Lucy, from When Malindy Sings, characters in the audience. 

Thanks to Bob Jones, of the Coatesville Cultural Society, my Dunbar Svengali, who guided me in giving voice to the poetry.  Since 1994 I have enjoying bringing Dunbar’s southern dialect, narrative poetry to life for youngsters and adults, in libraries, schools, theater’s and senior centers. You may wonder what is Art-Reach, Inc. Well, its a Philadelphia non-profit agency founded by Joyce Burg, a lady who years ago, I heard on the radio talking about the mission of her start up; to offers arts and culture programs to those who are disadvantaged, immobile or handicapped, or don’t have access to public plays or cultural events. Art-Reach brings artists directly to the facility. I followed my heart and called Ms. Burg, held a meeting with her and I am so pleased to be a working artist on the roster for many years now. 

April 19, 2016 I was booked to return to the New Courtland Life facility at Germantown Homes in Philadelphia. My 99 year old step-dad had spent only a month in this facility before he died from the chemo therapy treatment for a cancer tumor on his bladder. 

Last we spoke, about a week earlier, he was still walking tall as the businessman he was, in his suit jacket and tie. He was strong, talking sensible, we often joked and laughed over the phone . He never mentioned he was not feeling well. He was too old for surgery and as fate would have it, for chemo. His funeral is in a few days. He was looking forward to me coming to Courtland and see me do my thing again. I will miss visiting him at his apartment, chatting on the phone about what he’s up to, bringing him roasted Kentucky chicken, honey & lemon when he had a cold and most of all, reminiscing about his daughter, Doni and my mother, who proceeded us, both having fallen asleep in death from cancer.

So here I am, just missing him. 

When I do Dunbar I enjoy involving the audience, breaking down the 4th wall as they say in theater lingo. As I arrived at New Courtland Life facility, the room was packed with the seniors and the aides, who remembered me from previous presentation, smiling and ready to hear Paul Dunbar poetry, more than ready for ‘Lias’ Mother. I asked and some knew my step-dad, Mr. Melvin Johnson. Everyone said he was a gentleman and gave me a hug. 

After the introduction, as soon after I crow like a rooster, I scan the audience discreetly  seeking out my son, Elias. "In The Morning" the opening poem is Dunbar's most recited poem. It was a variety of elder men to choose from. I look for someone who isn’t wearing a baseball cap or decorative t-shirt, too distracting. If I "feel" a good vibe, I often have chosen someone in a wheelchair. This time, the Elias’ who caught my eye, as he was sizing me up, was nervous to leave his seat until I extended my hand and as a side bar, asked him to “play” with me.

He got out of his seat and reacted naturally, in spite of the audiences giggles, to the scolding 'Lias' Mother gives her sleepy son.  He sat at the table and answered “yes mam” on every cue and even pretended to eat from the empty tin plate. He remembered all but one of the items on "my list" and the audience called out the last reminders of what I was sending him off to get from Mr. Jones shop. He accepted his applause with a bow, and gladly left the stage and went back to being an audience in his seat.

One of the lady aides, standing behind another man, signaled and pointed him out, to say, I should of picked him to be my Elias. Aides are very familiar with their clients and certainly know who the show-offs are, so I nodded ok. I don't always get a Sam to come up after Elias', it takes away the moment between me and my son, but this time I figured I'd make the aide happy and use her choice for Sam. 

After breakfast with my son, 'Lias', Coquette Conquered is the next poem. Pretending to clean up after 'Lias' I knocked on the table, the sound effect for Sam, my suitor, to appear at my door. I chose the gentleman the aide brought to my attention. He steps up ever so slowly, takes off his baseball cap and steps up into my "cabin" with a twinkling eye, grinning for all to see. Little did I know, a star was in the house!

In the poem, “Sam” tries to conquer me, the coquette (flirt). He visits hiding a dead possum, under his coat. A gift he brings for 'Lias' Mother to cook and hopefully say yes, to his marriage proposal. Could it really be a possum under his coat? Her favorite delicacy? A shoat? Rabbit? “Something for the pan or pot? “ ‘Lias’ Mother, a widow, is not a easy catch.

"What's dat unnerneaf yo' coat?

This cheeky modern day Sam, digs into his pocket, leans to the side slyly showing me his hand. Figuring any woman would fall for this gift, if not his clever charms. He teases 'Lias' Mother with his hand full, with a thick roll of $20 bills! 

(c) Oni Lasana 2017