Imagine the many experiences and knowledge that shape a lifetime for an individual. Now, imagine living over an entire century-watching the world change vastly and experiencing the number of people, events and accomplishments that define a life.
The upcoming Contemporary American Theatre Company production of “Having Our Say” explores this and more through a real-life account of the two black Delany sisters, in the two-person play that starts this week.
“Having Our Say” begins as 103-year-old Sadie and 101-year-old Bessie Delany welcome the audience into their home in Mount Vernon, New York. As they recount captivating tales of events drawn from their deep family history, the audience is intrigued by the many hardships these bold women have overcome in their lifetime and admire them as pioneered black professionals.
“These women lived through the twentieth century in times of lynching, the Depression, Jim Crowe Laws and many prejudices against women, especially black women,” said Alan Woods, dramaturg for “Having Our Say” and director of the Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute. “They survived these times with grace, striving as independent women, professionally and mentally.”
The audience feels the sisters’ frustrations and pain as they come of age, and celebrates the sisters’ success as they rise to the top in their professions despite obstacles, such as being daughters of a slave.
As the play unfolds, the Delany sisters exhibit the many hardships they faced; from discrimination in the South during and after slavery, as well as, their move to Harlem and experiencing two World Wars as they determinedly attained their education in a world harsh to women.
They fought to overcome struggles in a male dominated society. Bessie excelled as the second black woman licensed to practice dentistry in New York City, while Sadie fought through struggles in New York City schools as a teacher.
The sisters show how families working together and friendships build a good life. CATCO presents this story to show how common people can lead extraordinary lives, experiencing life to its fullest, as seen through the lives of the Delany sisters for more than 100 years.
“They remained compassionate observers of the world around them,” Woods said. “They spoke honestly as they lived and give the ‘happily ever after’ ending to their lives.”
“Having Our Say” is the result of an interview by New York Times’ Amy Hill Hearth with the Delany sisters in 1991, which became the article entitled “Two Maiden Ladies With Century-Old Stories to Tell.” The oral story became the hardcover book, “Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years,” published in 1993. It appeared on the New York Times bestseller list for 28 weeks and the paperback, published in 1994, spent 77 weeks on the list.
Eventually, the story made it to the stage by the dramatization of director Emily Mann in 1995 as “Having Our Say: A Play of the Century” and it enjoyed hugely successful runs at Princeton’s McCarter Theatre. Before long, the show graced the Broadway stage at the Booth Theatre and ran there for nine months, where it was nominated for two Tony Awards – Best Play and Best Director.
A CBS movie was also created, “Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years” aired in April 1999.
With over a century of American life witnessed, these women have some stories to share. As the Delany sisters cook meals, clean and recollect over the past, it is as though the audience is sitting in their home, becoming emotionally involved in the extraordinary lives of these two feisty women. They practice yoga to stay fit and move about the stage like teen-agers full of life, yet each more than a century old.
“This is a tale based on oral history, where memory is grounded in the reality of a home,” said Lorraine Robinson, director of “Having Our Say.” “We become guests of the Delany sisters’ home and are inspired by their lifetime of over a century.”
Robinson is a freelance director and dramaturg based in Washington, D.C. She has directed a variety of theater productions, new play development projects and workshops in Washington, D.C., Virginia and New York City. Robinson also has a master’s degree in theater from Brown University.
CATCO is pleased to have two talented and experienced actresses grace the stage as Bessie and Sadie Delany for the production.
New Yorker, Sarallen, with a number of on- and off-Broadway credits under her belt such as Queen Margaret in “Richard III,” portrays Sadie. She has taken part in many regional and international theater groups as well as some work on soap operas, films and commercials.
E.J. Murray, a Chicago native, revives as the role of Bessie, which she previously performed for the Chicago Theatre Company. She has appeared in a number of regional theater roles as well as film and television shows.
“Having Our Say” will be performed by CATCO, April 5-28 in the Riffe Center Studio One Theatre, 77 S. High St. Tickets are $17-$30 and are available by calling CATCO Box Office at 614-461-0010. Student and teacher discounts are available.
