PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The late Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Charles Fuller has a deep history in Philadelphia. He grew up here, went to Roman Catholic High School and then Villanova University, and he co-founded the Afro-American Arts Theatre in the city.
But his best-known play has never been performed professionally in his hometown — until now.
Almost four months after Fuller’s death, the national tour of “A Soldier’s Play” comes through Philly starting on Tuesday. Jan. 24.
The show was first performed off-Broadway in 1982, when it won Fuller the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The original cast included Denzel Washington and Samuel L. Jackson. Washington went on to star in a film adaptation called “A Soldier’s Story” in 1984.
This tour comes off of a revival on Broadway, which won the 2020 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. The tour stars Norm Lewis as Capt. Richard Davenport, who’s on a mission to find out who killed one of the sergeants on his all-Black army base in World War II-era Louisiana.
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Eugene Lee plays Sgt. Vernon C. Waters in this production, but he originated the role of Cpl. Bernard Cobb in 1982, working with Fuller.
“It was just a joy to be in the process with him, to watch him, to have him in the room,” Lee says, adding that Fuller was a “very proud man, a very articulate man … very giving person.”
While the show is set during World War II, the concept of a Black man being murdered clearly has resonance today.
“It is a very timeless story, because it is the truth,” Lee says. “It's the truth about the African American experience here in these United States … it's a wonderful history lesson. And you know, history teaches us how to handle where we are right now.”
Lee describes the play as a murder-mystery, but also a way to teach audiences about a perspective they might not understand.
“These Black men in America … signed up to go fight for democracy, with the hope that the reward would be that America would live up to its promise, which is full citizenship, which is freedom, which is full civil rights,” he says.
“That didn't happen. And that's why we are still living in the residuals of all of that stuff right now.”
Lee feels deeply connected to “A Soldier’s Play.” This is the third role he’s played in it.
"I want to assassinate hate in America. I'm on a mission,” Lee said. “This play is something that I think helps by providing some insight and understanding.”
In Philadelphia, this show will serve as a tribute to Fuller, and a celebration of his life and legacy.
“This is one of the finest moments of my 50-year career as an actor,” Lee says. “I'm really proud to be bringing this to Philadelphia and to share it with the people who nurtured Charles … and celebrate him in that way.”
“A Soldier’s Play” will be on stage at the Forrest Theatre. Tickets are available at kimmelculturalcampus.org.