26 years ago this month, The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago, a multiracial, non-Equity professional chamber theatre, opened its 1997 Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-winning, Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award nominated revival of Athol Fugard's "Master Harold And The Boys " at the intimate Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in the the Rogers Park neighborhood of The Windy City.
"Directed by founder Darryl Maximilian Robinson, who plays Sam, the play soars with a vibrancy that is engulfing. His joyousness is infectious. His reflections insightful. His teachings ( either dance steps or concerned lessons of learning ) makes one feel his commitment, his dedication, his desire to make the world a little better for having lived in it. A highly notable presentation, he makes this play a memorable evening of theatre one does not easily forget." -- Al Boswell, The Gary Info, Feb. 27, 1997.
"Darryl Maximilian Robinson, whose ardent love of acting invigorates every action of the mature, wizened Sam, tolerates no submission. The boy's friend and mentor he is slammed with the double-indignity of experiencing the fury of racism from an adolescent he has guided, protected and educated." -- Mike Spitz, Nightlines Theatre, Feb. 26, 1997.
"Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson obviously displays a deep love for and belief in Fugard's intimate drama. Crisply paced, with a solid understanding of the playwright's serious playfulness, this production does quiet yet moving justice to the intensely unfolding material. Gregory Chistopher Armstrong's Willie maintains a smooth unaffected realness through sincere body language and softly-tempered delivery. And Kevin Heckman's painfully torn Hally, who ocillates between hope and despair, delivers an honestly complex performance that enables us to sympathize with the frailties and confused loyalties of all parties locked in apartheid's crushing grip". -- Lucia Mauro, The New City, Recommended, Jan 30,-Feb. 2, 1997
Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder Darryl Maximilian Robinson has had the wonderful priviledge of directing and starring twice as Sam Semela in the great South African Playwright Athol Fugard's "Master Harold and The Boys".
In 1993, under the banner of his theatre, Excaliber Productions, Ltd., he mounted the piece in St. Louis at The Wabash Triangle Cafe in a very well-received production that featured the highly-talented young actors Philip Watt as Hally and Carey Means as Willie Malopo. Jesse Watt effectively served as a designer/ technician and Production Stage Manager for that staging.
"Master Harold...and the boys is a politically and socially poignant contemporary drama written by Athol Fugard. This magnificent drama appeared on Broadway in 1982 starring Danny Glover as Willie, Lonny Price as Hally and Zakes Mokae as Sam. Mokae went on to claim a Tony Award for the Best Featured Actor on Broadway for his performance and also star in the Showtime Cable Television version of the play.
The issues taken to task in this play are issues that still plague South Africa and the United States today. The play is written in a 1950 time frame taking place in St. George's Park Tea Room Port Elizabeth South Africa. Excaliber Productions performed Master Harold at the Wabash Triangle Cafe. The starring trio this time included Carey S. Means as Willie, Philip Alexis Watt as Hally and Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Sam. Carey's strong performance as Willie, a slow-witted busboy, was enhanced by his voice, husky with a South African / British accent. He also added a humorous touch to the play, trying to learn to ballroom dance for a contest without a partner. Philip's performance as Hally or Master Harold, an adolescent schoolboy, was most effective due not only to his true boyishness, but to his fine acting as well. Darryl Maximilian's performance as Sam, the aging Maitre'd, was excellent. The use of his voice, British accent and body language made Sam more than just a character portrayal. Set design was very simple, but appropriate; the cabaret atmosphere of the Wabash Triangle Cafe blended in to provide an extention for the set that allowed the audience to feel like a part of the action. This was not family entertainment however due to some language not quite suitable for children. Nevertheless, this production like all Excaliber performances I have seen, was fantastic!" -- Lorna A. Vaughn Intermission Magazine St. Louis Edtion May 1993.
In 1997, as Founder, Artistic Director and Producer of his renamed Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago, Mr. Robinson re-mounted the piece to wonderful critical reviews and awards recognition at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre of Rogers Park in a revival featuring skilled professionals Kevin Heckman ( and later Kevin Adair ) as Hally and Gregory Christopher "Word Jazzman" Armstrong ( and later Eliyahu Miller ) as Willie Malopo.
The dilligent Donald Wyant served as Production Stage Manager. And noted Chicago Playwright and Veteran Theatre Artist Jeff Helgeson served as Dramaturg, Co-Designer and Associate Producer of this staging.
Multi-talented Actor Kevin Adair, who played Hally in the extended run of the show, also served as a videographer of selected scenes of the production.
"One never thought a that a production of Athol Fugard's "Master Harold...And The Boys" could exceed the production in which James Earl Jones starred as Sam Semela until the Excaliber Shakespeare Company came along with Darryl Maximilian Robinson in the role. Currently appearing at the Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre, 7000 North Glenwood through March 16th on Wednesdays and Sundays, the production is compelling for its infallible dramatic urgency and superb sense of style. Other cast members include Kevin Adair as Hally and Eliyahu Miller as Willie. Robinson is producer and director." -- Earl Calloway, The Chicago Defender, Theatre Wing, March 5, 1997.
The show was Recommended by The South African Consulat General's Office in Chicago as well as by The City of Chicago Department of Human Relations.
The show was also JEFF RECOMMENDED and at the end of the theatre season garnered 2 1997 Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award Nominations, including for Outstanding Production of the Year and Outstanding Achievement By An Actor In A Principal Role In A Play For Mr. Robinson's performance as Sam Semela.
On June 9, 1997, after he and his original Chicago cast performed a scene from "Master Harold" at the awards ceremony at The Park West Theatre, Darryl Maximilian Robinson won the Chicago Jeff Citation Award for Outstanding Actor In A Principal Role In A Play.
Later that year, he would win a 1997 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nomination for Best Leading Actor In A Play for his performance in "Master Harold and The Boys", and he and Jeff Helgeson would both share a 1997 Chicago BTAA / Ira Aldridge Award Nomination for Best Sound Design for the piece.
"Master Harold and The Boys" is the single most honored production in the history of The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago.
And actor, director, producer Darryl Maximilian Robinson is extremely grateful to both his St. Louis and Chicago Excaliber acting company and crew members for all of their incredible work!
LONG LIVE ATHOL FUGARD!
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