Freight: The Five Incarnations of Abel Green
About the show
New Federal Theatre and Castillo Theatre bring back this solo show about a black man who exists in five dimensions of the same universe at different points in American history. More…
'Freight: The Five Incarnations of Abel Green' is a collection of five monologues, all highlighting different parts of African-American history through the eyes of one man. In each of his incarnations—minstrel, cult leader, FBI informant, struggling actor, out-of-work mortgage broker—Abel finds himself stuck somewhere between the American dream and the American nightmare.
“The most captivating one man show I’ve ever seen... A poetic and poignant theatrical experience...Craft builds an incredible narrative with each poetic word. His writing is absolutely perfect..Megel’s direction highlights every poetic moment using every theatrical element available to him... J. Alphonse Nicholson is incredible...It feels rare to me that stories are thematically crafted in such a way that stirs spirit and shifts consciousness. ‘Freight’ is one such story.” Full Review
“A powerful production...Frighteningly relevant...This iteration of ‘Freight’ captures the essence of its predecessor while expanding (and improving) upon it. Nicholson gives a tour de force performance...I wanted to see more from the female characters and to have more variety among the women...Craft's script never stints, however, on its unflinching look at racism, and the strategies Abel adapts to survive. In all, this is a timely and timeless theatrical journey.” Full Review
“Craft has written a meditation on the consequences of how we treat our fellow man. He’s done this subtly...Each parable manifests a pithy situation with imagination and context...A thoughtful and dramatic entertainment one can enjoy at many levels...Nicholson acts, sings, dances, and plays percussion with talent and focus...Director Megel steers his thespian with a sure and sensitive hand...Only the protagonist’s literally whirling into each incarnation seems off.” Full Review
for a previous production "You'll find yourself surprised and moved by the stories of struggle collected in Howard L. Craft's incisive one-man play. Directed by Joseph Megel and expertly performed by J. Alphonse Nicholson, 'Freight' captures big historical truths in personal, idiosyncratic tales...Craft's meditation on race in America is clearly timely; what's surprising here is his light touch. Humor and song leaven the evening, and a surreal ending offers an escape from Green's troubled world." Full Review
for a previous production "Nothing in this 90 minutes is overly flashy, or exceptionally funny, or terribly moving, but it is genuine. It sets out to tell a story, and it tells one. One that may as well be five, or 500, or 5 million. One just as relevant today as yesterday...and even more so tomorrow." Full Review
for a previous production "This rich and thoughtful solo play is most concerned with intimate self-examination: how to be good to one another within black culture, when the larger culture rewards complicity...Mr. Nicholson transforms from one Abel to the next in front of us, and though he doesn’t quite get his arms around the faith healer, he makes the others distinct and entertaining, each a smart man with the charm to hold a room and the capacity to savor memories of past pleasures." Full Review
for a previous production "The story and Abel’s experience would resonate on a much deeper level if some of the text were replaced with more of these visually-powerful moments that are created using other theatrical conventions than the spoken word. The play is dialogue heavy and a bit thin when it comes to theatricality, save for the beautiful transitions." Full Review
See it if you love social drama with a twist.
Don't see it if you are offended by culturally sensitive subjects.
See it if you like history, creative dialog, and great acting.
Don't see it if you expect a high-end Broadway production
See it if you want to see an incredible actor, a masterfully written script that goes from the early 1900's through 2010.
Don't see it if you are not interested in one man shows.
See it if ONE PERSON WHO MADE YOU BELIEVE EACH AND EVERY TIME OF HIS LIFE WERE ACTED OUT SO MASTERFULLY.I HOPE PEOPLE COME TO SEE THIS EXCELLENT SHOW.
Don't see it if IF YOU WANT ELABORATE SETS OR A BIG PRODUCTION.IT WAS SIMPLY A GREAT BIT OF ACTING WITHOUT ALL THE FRILLS.
See it if you appreciate insightful, brilliantly created and executed drama re tensions of wealth/security vs. commitment to principles/friendship.
Don't see it if you do not enjoy one-man vignettes in one 100 min. act with minimal but ingenious set from African American perspective but universal theme.
See it if You like excellent and committed acting, historically based storylines, multimedia
Don't see it if You don’t care for seeing the uncomfortable realities of a segment of the population, need big flashy productions, don’t like storytelling
See it if You want to see theatre at its best - nuanced, absorbing, enthralling, genuine. Took my breath away.
Don't see it if Really don't like solo shows. It's a meditation on American black experience, how we treat each other, and the ebb/flow of our decisions.
Also What a wonderful collaboration between director, writer and actor. Nic... Read more Read less
See it if you want to see a star. This is a fully formed, beautifully prepared piece performed by a consummate performer.
Don't see it if you dont like on man shoes. You are uncomfortable with racial politics.
Also Beautiful movement. Lovely singing. Exuberance. Beautifully modulated ... Read more Read less
See it if You want to see an extremely well acted solo show on some of the challenges faced in the African American struggle through five time periods
Don't see it if You don’t like solo shows. The actor here however is outstanding
See it if you appreciate a powerful one-man performance that takes you through historical periods; if you enjoy up-close dramas.
Don't see it if you're looking for a light evening of theater.
Also This is an amazing performance that shouldn't be missed. You see multi... Read more Read less
See it if you want to be enraptured by a brilliant actor and a mesmerizing script with Nicholson a knockout in this 1 hander about the black journey
Don't see it if the idea of time travel or reincarnation through various epochs of black history is not your cup. Same characters appear in many guises.
Also This is an a clever and thought provoking production, mesmerizing to w... Read more Read less
See it if A MUST SEE ONE MAN PLAY SHARPLY WRITTEN EXQUISITELY ACTED.. DESERVES ATTENTION & ATTENDANCE BY ALL GOOD THEATER AND A RIVETING PERFORMANCE
Don't see it if YOU DON'T LIKE ONE MAN SHOWS... YOU'RE NOT INTERESTED IN INNOVATIVE "OUTSIDE THE BOX PRODUCTIONS."
See it if You want to see a masterwork one man show with attendant exceptional writing, acting, directing costume, lighting and stagecraft
Don't see it if You don't like one man shows
See it if You appreciate bravura acting, historical perspectives of contemporary race issues, and strong writing and theatrical conceit.
Don't see it if You can’t tolerate one-man shows.
Also Timely and provocative, plus I can’t imagine you’ll see too many perfo... Read more Read less
See it if you want to experience a masterful 105min 5-monologue piece of non-stop high-energy one-man showmanship. Stunning performance & commitment.
Don't see it if you can't handle the above. He's on-stage for the duration: 5 diff roles, full costume-changes, w/nary a void, pause, or misplaced breath.
Also An excellent night of intelligent theater!... Read more Read less
See it if Man acts out of ignorance, then sees truth and loses his innocence in each of five eras. Great storytelling, both personal and historical.
Don't see it if You are not interested in different historical settings connected by universal human themes. You don’t like intimate one man shows.
See it if You like well acted one person shows.
Don't see it if Don’t like one person shows and prefer light comedy.
See it if You want to see a great performance by an excellent actor on a simple well put together stage.
Don't see it if You don't like a one man show. You don't want to see a great performance. You don't want to be entertained.
See it if You like good acting with interesting things affecting Afro-Americans.
Don't see it if If you don’t want to be moved or think.
See it if Excellent solo performance in five acts representing different periods in history relating to the life of a black man. A must see!
Don't see it if Do not see if you prefer light musicals or simple dramas. Do not see if you do not enjoy solo performances.
See it if Extraordinary vivid portrayals by outstanding actor.
Don't see it if Do not like one man shows or are uncomfortable with depictions of injustice.
See it if You want to see a takented actor take on 5 different roles in an intimate setting theatre. So talented.
Don't see it if You don't like monologues, single actor portraying differnt people, expect to see elaborate sets, don't care for social issues.
See it if you are moved by personal stories, are interested in the black struggle or you would enjoy 5 superbly acted versions of a character's life.
Don't see it if you do not like one-man shows or would not enjoy 5 different versions told within one play.
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