Grassroots theater brings ‘Honeydripper’ to Old Arizona Theater

BY ELAINE KLAASSEN

Judy Cooper Lyles and John Sayles Director/writer/producer of Urban Spectrum community theater, Judy Cooper Lyles, and John Sayles, creator of the film “Honeydripper.”

For nearly 40 years the community theater company Urban Spectrum (formerly configured as the Real Community Theatre) has never stopped bringing affordable, enjoyable and relevant theater to the inner city. The group’s traveling Christmas shows were presented in nursing homes and parks. The diverse cluster of thespians rehearsed and performed at churches, like Holy Rosary, Walker Community United Methodist, Messiah Lutheran (when it was at 25th and Oakland), and in park buildings, like Phelps and Stewart, to name a couple. The company had semi-permanent homes at Salem Lutheran Church (when it was at 28th and Lyndale), and at community centers Sabathani and Pillsbury House. The troupe’s best home was its very own space at 4th and Lake, Central City Theatre, which seated 65 people and had an adorable lobby with a ticket window. It was heartbreaking when the company had to move out, for reasons too complicated to explain in this story, and then heartening to see the indomitable spirit that made the once-again itinerant actors push forward.

These folks are at it again, this time rehearsing evenings at McRae Park. They’re putting on “Honeydripper,” based on the film of the same title.

Director/producer/writer Judy Cooper Lyle, the driving force behind Urban Spectrum, who has been involved since Day 1, first saw the film at the Parkway Theatre and was overwhelmed. “I’ve got to put on this story,” she said. She was able to get permission from John Sayles, the screenwriter and director, to adapt it for the stage. And she also got the rights to the songs, from Sayles and Mason Daring. She wrote numerous grant proposals, 75% of which were successful. So now, with a cast of 34,—her usual seasoned core sporting professional credentials mixed with rank beginners—the play is scheduled to open May 11 at the Old Arizona Theatre.

Ever since Cooper Lyles read all the works of Shakespeare (not the abridged) in high school, she’s wanted to do nothing but “put on a show.” Ever resourceful, ever committed, she has worked as a church secretary, as executive director of various nonprofits and as a teacher in the public schools and now raises money selling original clothing designs to support her dream. Over the years she has nurtured hundreds of young people and the not-so-young in their theatrical aspirations.

“Honeydripper” is set in 1950’s rural Alabama. Tyrone “Pine Top” Purvis (Al Drears) is the piano playing owner of the Honeydripper Lounge. His main entertainment, an older blues singer (Mari Harris), doesn’t draw the younger crowd and Ty isn’t making enough to pay his bills. He goes out on a limb and hires the legendary Guitar Sam to play for one night to see if it helps him lure the young cotton pickers and local Army base recruits into his juke joint. You have to see the show to discover how that works out.

I can only say that the story evolves to involve modern musicians Sonny (Emmanuel Akingbasote) and Possum (Frederick Thomas), some love, some lust, some wonderful singing and dancing, as Ty tries to save himself from economic disaster, and from the shadows in his past. John Sayles refers to the story as “a moment in time, at the verge of the birth of rock & roll.”

Recommended for ages 12 and up. The admission is a suggested donation of $15. Or $10 for seniors, youth and students. The two-hour show is May 11, 12, 13 and May 18,19, 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Old Arizona is at 2821 Nicollet Ave. S., 612-871-0050, www.oldarizona.com.