AMERICA'S MUSICAL THEATER: THE HOUSTON GRAND OPERA'S PRODUCTION OF SCOTT JOPLIN'S "TREEMONISHA" (TV)
Summary
The final part of this three-part series that showcases the work of various regional theater companies in the United States and presents turn-of-the-century American musical theater productions. Hosted by Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, this final program features the Houston Grand Opera's stage production of ragtime composer Scott Joplin's folk opera, which was written in 1908 but was not performed for the public until more than 50 years after his death. Before the opera begins, Davis and Dee profile Joplin and his work. Among the topics covered are his final years, which were marked by frustration because of his unsuccessful attempts to have his opera produced; his classical music training; and his lifetime quest to get serious recognition for his compositions. The opera concerns a young woman, Treemonisha, the only educated person in a community of former slaves who live on an abandoned plantation in Texas. Treemonisha is determined to steer her people toward knowledge and enlightenment, away from their present path of ignorance ruled by fear and superstition. In Act I, she confronts a con man, Zodzetrick, after he tries to sell "bags of luck" to her parents -- bags of useless dust that the "conjurer" promises will repel enemies and bring good luck. To Treemonisha's relief, Zodzetrick leaves, and she and her parents join the other townspeople in celebrations before cornhusking. During the celebration, Treemonisha learns the true story of her birth and educated upbringing. While Parson Alltalk leads the townspeople in prayer, Zodzetrick returns with his sidekick, Luddud, to kidnap Treemonisha. In Act II, Treemonisha is taken far away to a swamp where other "conjurers" live. Their leader, Simon, learns that Treemonisha has been warning people not to buy the dust and decides that she will be severely punished for her efforts, but Remus arrives dressed as a demon to scare the conjurers and save her. In Act III, Remus and Treemonisha travel home, passing through an abandoned plantation that contains many relics of slavery, while Ned and Monisha anxiously await their daughter's safe return. At home, Remus and Treemonisha discover that a group of men from the town have captured Zodzetrick and Luddud, and Treemonisha is dismayed by the townspeople's determination to punish the two guilty con men, leading her to realize that her people need a leader to give them guidance.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS WNET New York, NY
- DATE: February 9, 1986 3:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:29:04
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:15701
- GENRE: Music
- SUBJECT HEADING: Biography; Blacks - Drama; Blacks in the performing arts; Composers; Operas; Ragtime music; African-American Collection - Music
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV, 1986
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Greg Harney … Executive Producer
- Bernice Olenick … Producer
- G. Laurence Patterson … Co-Producer
- Sidney Smith … Director, Directed for television by
- Frank Corsaro … Director, Directed for stage by
- Scott Joplin … Composer
- Gunther Schuller … Music (Misc. Credits), Arranged and orchestrated by
- John DeMain … Conductor, Music Director for the Houston Grand Opera
- Mabel Robinson … Choreographer
- Ossie Davis … Host
- Ruby Dee … Host
- Obba Babatunde … Cast, Zodzetrick
- Delores Ivory … Cast, Monisha
- Dorceal Duckens … Cast, Ned
- Carmen Balthrop … Cast, Treemonisha
- Curtis Rayam … Cast, Remus
- Kenn Hicks … Cast, Andy
- Cora Johnson … Cast, Lucy
- Ray Jacobs … Cast, Parson Alltalk
- Raymond Bazemore … Cast, Simon
- Michael Grey … Cast, Cephus
- Cleveland Williams … Cast, Luddud