“Through The Night” is a phenomenal performance

(Originally published February 1, 2012)

 

by C. Denise Johnson

For the New Pittsburgh Courier

The latest offering at Southside’s City Theatre is a solo performance by a one man force of nature known as Daniel Beaty. In his self-written production, “Through The Night,” Beaty presents a composite piece of one evening seen through the eyes of six interconnected characters: a child prodigy, a high school graduate leaving the projects for college, an ex-con, a record executive, an entrepreneur and the bishop of a mega-church.

            Tapping into his formal theater training, God-given talent and his own life, Beaty easily morphs into each character with the astonishing ease of a chameleon and does so seamlessly as he introduces them.

Eric, the 10-year old scientist, is a young eager sponge who absorbs everything within his grasp and his dad, the 50-something Mr. Rogers struggles to keep the doors of his health store in a neighborhood that needs what he’s selling but won’t buy it. Dre, the 30-ish ex-felon struggles to maintain his sobriety from addiction who anxiously awaits the birth of his first child in the hospital waiting room.

Meanwhile the good Bishop, who recommended Dre to Mr. Rogers for hire, is fighting his own demons as he enters his golden years and wonders when the family scion, 40 year-old Isaac, is going to settle down and give him grandchildren. The college-bound 'Twon is determined to become a Morehouse man like his mentor, Isaac.

The characters serve as a composite of the complexity that is the African American male viewed through their struggles and challenges with health issues, education, economics, addictions, hopes, dreams, aspirations and interaction with one another. As they confront their individual moment of truth through a common unexpected experience, each embraces their potential.

A stark stage, projection imaging, offstage sound effects and wooden crates serve as the only props and they are really all that is needed as Beaty weaves a masterful tale with tasty concoction of drama, comedy, poetry, music and movement to propel this work’s momentum. With no intermission, this 80 performance is a tour de force because Beaty invests every molecule of his being into “Through The Night.”

“Through The Night” continues through February 5 at City Theatre. For ticket information visit citytheatrecompany.org or call 412-431-CITY.