For nearly 40 years Unity Theatre Ensemble has been providing an artistic outlet, by way of the stage, for talent ranging from inexperienced to seasoned artists. Local theatre – the black theatre scene, in particular – has often shifted with the wind. And while many organizations were blown into oblivion, Unity has held on for dear life.
“That has been our plight,” said Ralph Greene, founder and artistic director of Unity Theatre Ensemble. “We have to be resilient. Our whole life’s work has been trying to keep Unity together.”
Even as he recounted the dark days, there was an authoritative air of optimism in Greene’s voice. As the company has squared its shoulders and declared, “The show must go on!” so many times before, it will again next week with its production of The Cotton Club Revue, directed by Greene at the Ivory Theatre in South City, which they hope will become home.
“Our love of theatre inspires us to keep it up,” Greene said. “It is our hope that through theatre people find something that inspires and motivates them to improve their lives.”
The company began as an element of the Katherine Dunham Performing Arts Center of East St. Louis in the early 1970s. Since then, it has moved from venue to venue and been reduced from five or six productions per season to one or two annual performances, working to stay relevant all the while.
That same tenacity that Unity’s husband and wife (Bonnie Greene) team embodies is apparent in the performers as they press forward through the week’s first rehearsal.
As the clock eased past 10 p.m. on a Monday night, the cast of the troupe’s upcoming production was soaking in the feedback from founder Ralph Greene and artistic staff.
There was encouragement and praise as singers belted out familiar tunes of the 1930s and dancers worked up a sweat with high-energy routines that managed to effectively merge the foxtrot with what appeared to be Afro-Caribbean ritualistic movements.
Greene is the anti-director, in a sense. He leaves the artists room to breathe. The ensemble ranges in age from teens to middle-aged, although you could barely tell them apart by the way that they moved and the fervor they gave to each of the numbers.
Cab Calloway, Fats Waller, Lena Horne, Bessie Smith and more are once again given a voice by way of The Cotton Club Revue, and black theatre favorites Chuck Flowers, Denise Thimes, Shelley Miller, Willenia Vaughn, Herman Gordon and a step through Ashi Smythe (a member of the original Broadway cast of The Lion King), Jamila Ajanaku, Kim Northcross,
Keytra Dobbins, Ledell Watts and Mark Martin.
In its tradition of second chances, Unity is attempting to professionally stage the show after lack of funding left it on the shelf since 1997. The show was originally presented at the Sheldon as a fundraiser for Good Shepherd School almost 20 years ago.
As they rejoiced in the opportunity to present a second show this season, the demand for a musical with Unity’s trademark flavor and the celebratory tone of Cotton Club Revue made the show a perfect kick-off for what they hope to be a permanent stay at the Ivory Theatre.
“It’s very fast-paced and in an entertaining way so that the audience can get involved if they want,” Greene said. “And we invite people to take out their beaded gowns and tuxedos and enjoy as if they are really at the Cotton Club.”
The Unity Theatre Ensemble’s production of the Cotton Club Revue will run May 21-25 at the Ivory Theatre (7622 Michigan). For more information, call the Ivory Theatre Box office at (314) 631-8330. Call (314) 355-3586 for reservations and group sales.
