“Christophe” is the third and final play by Levy Lee Simon celebrating
the heroes of the Haitian struggle for independence and is produced
during the Haitian Bicentennial.
In 1804, Henri Christophe is the first President of Haiti. The yoke of
French slavery has been thrown off, and Christophe seeks to rule a land
that tolerates both Roman Catholicism and tribal religion (Vodou, or
“Voodoo”). The Black leader finds himself confronted with rebellion by a
faction of mulattos who refuse to identify with the Blacks, setting the
stage for civil conflict.
The story of Christophe is a true one, yet it has all the components of
a grand adventure: the striving for Black liberation, power, war, lust,
love, action, romance, ideals, magic, and unforgettable personalities.
It all makes for grand theatre.
Karl Calhoun plays Christophe. The cast also includes Rico Anderson,
Tina Ansah, Gabrielle Arianela, Ayana Cahrr, Craig Calman, Tene A.
Carter, Robert Clements, Gary Lynn Collier, Corey Curties, Roderick
Emil, Marc Ewing, Stephon Fuller, Royce Herron, Jackie Houston, Dennis
A. Howard, Lanre Idewu, Amad Jackson, Ben Jurand, Michael T. Kachingwe,
Angela Matemotja, Jameelah McMillan, Nafeesa Monroe, Mimi Moss, Dominica
Myers, Dana Nasser, Staci Mitchell N’Kosi, Aaron Norvell, Durwyn
Robinson, Annika Smith, Chrison Thompson, Lisa Tharps and Peter
Trencher.
Set design: Ed Haynes. Lighting design: John Paul Luckenbach, Nerissa
Williams. Costume and hair design: Naila Aladdin-Sanders. Fight
choreographer: Yvans Jourdain. Sound design: Anthony Carr. Properties:
Chris Kistner. Production stage manager: John Freeland, Jr.
Supporting organizations include: ABC, CBS, Fox, HBO, the City of Los
Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, the Ford Foundation, General
Motors Acceptance Corporation, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission,
Northrop Grumman Corporation, the Vanguard Foundation.
The Robey Theatre Company is the recipient of a 2004 grant from the
California Community Foundation. The Robey continues its tradition of
superior epic entertainment with special emphasis on the contributions
of its African-American artists.
The Los Angeles Theatre Center (or LATC) is a facility of the City of
Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department.
