“Through things like A Christmas Carol and A Wonderful Life, we get these ideas of an angel coming down,” said actor Corey Allen. “Walter Mosley takes the idea and turns it on its head.”
A man reflecting from beyond the grave and reevaluating significant choices over the course of his life is far from a new tale. But the interpretation being offered by Mosley as he takes his gift for words into yet another creative capacity is indeed a different story altogether.
For his theatrical debut in The Fall of Heaven – adapted from his book The Tempest Tales – Mosley offers a twist in a way that only he could.
St. Louis theatre audiences will be granted an early look at what will more than likely be embraced eventually as a black theatre classic. Starting next week, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis will stage the production – the first theatre to take it on since it premiered last year at the Cincinnati Playhouse.
Mosley will even be on hand to discuss his transition into playwriting next Thursday (January 6) evening on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto–Hilton Center for the Performing Arts.
The Fall of Heaven tells the story of Tempest Landry, a man who refuses his damnation, and his accompanying angel Joshua, who follows Tempest to Earth for a second look.
After an untimely death, Tempest is headed for hell when he refuses. He instead attempts to rationalize his sins to Saint Peter and asks to be judged from that perspective instead of the misdeeds themselves.
What follows is a refreshing tale, set in 2009, that manages to be equal parts classic and contemporary.
“Tempest has a lot of audacity,” said Allen, who plays Joshua Angel. “The things that he’s done, he believes he had a reason and the motivation behind it is justified. And we all can relate to that.”
Bryan Terrell Clark, who portrays Tempest Landry, hopes to create a connection between the audience and the role he brings to the stage.
“He’s extremely smart, but it’s all so urbanized – funneled through his slang and his bravado and his charisma and his street wit,” Clark said. “He’s like Ali in the boxing ring. Ali is fully engaged in the ring, but had this wit and humor. Putting those elements together have been the most interesting – and the most fun.”
Mosley’s witty wordsmith skills provide the perfect introduction of a new way of looking at a classic scenario of the stage and screen.
“I’ve been trying to figure out what I think someone who has only experienced life from the rational, moral high ground would be like,” Allen says. “What happens to him when he gets to experience them for the first time: an argument, a confrontation, his first flirtation – how it feels to tell your first lie. It’s interesting to see where he ultimately ends up in the play – which will be surprising to some viewers.”
What Clark hopes to offer through the production is a different opinion regarding the stereotypes of men like the character he is portraying.
“There is so much more to the thug, the street hustler or the pimp than you actually know,” Clark said. “He’s a pimp, but he’s also a father. He’s a thief, but he’s the most generous person you will also meet. He’s a thug, but he’s also a hero.
I hope that they can see the dichotomy of who he is – and who we are all are.”
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, with Pudd’nhead Booksellers, will host Walter Mosley on 5-7 p.m. Thursday, January 6 for a Q&A and book signing. The Q&A will take place from 5–5:45 p.m. on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto–Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), followed by the book signing in the lobby. Only books purchased through Pudd’nhead Booksellers and The Rep will be signed.
The Fall of Heaven, will be performed on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto–Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, January 5-30. For more information, call 314- 968-4288 or visit www.repstl.org.