THE STORY: In 1858, on a plantation in Georgia, a young mother is suddenly sold, leaving behind her husband and their five-year-old son. Through a magical evening of storytelling, music and dance, the enslaved community comes together, not only to comfort father and son but to heal and strengthen themselves. FLIGHT is an inspirational theatrical experience for the whole family. These empowering stories, based on actual slave narratives, as well as African and African-American folktales, celebrate the African-American oral tradition as it passes from generation to generation…to you.
“Woodard’s drama is about the toll that slavery took on the human soul of blacks as well as the tools they employed to withstand the pain and triumph over it. Its universal themes and overall message transcend race, ethnicity and class.” —Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
“There’s no denying its soaring power.” —Variety.
“Woodard’s vibrant voice comes through, particularly during the enactment of her own versions of African and African-American fables and folk tales that are salty, soulful and alive with wit.” —Los Angeles Times.
“Woodard superbly weaves these tales into the slaves’ own lives…They remind us that we don’t need props, sets, costumes and huge casts to provide the stories told so exquisitely by this gorgeous collection of griots. Flight is a giant step for Charlayne Woodard who, after three solo autobiographical plays, proves that she can skillfully create a dramatic funny ensemble piece.” —CurtainUp.
“A deeply felt work, marked by the same talent for storytelling with which Woodard has endowed her solo performance shows.” —Talkin’ Broadway.
“Heartbreaking…The revelation of Woodard’s Flight is the playwright’s knockout ability to recount a tale.” —Los Angeles Daily News.
