‘Moments with Paul’ showcases Paul Robeson (Jason McKinney) and Lawrence Brown (Christopher Bagley) as they soar together on stage

By Felecia Piggott-Long, Ph.D. The 40+ Stage Company honored the greatness of Paul Robeson with the musical play “Moments with Paul” at the Gallery Theatre at the Intergenerational Center for Arts and Wellness from Feb. 17 – Feb. 25. This musical production highlighted the career and lifetime contributions of Paul Robeson, a warrior in the struggle for civil rights. When the production opened, an ebony grand piano stood in center stage, while Lawrence Brown (Christopher Bagley) played the spiritual “Deep River.” Upstage Robeson entered in white tie and tails just in time to connect with the rhythm of this sorrowful song. He followed this song with “Wade in the Water.” Both of these songs articulated the collective voice of African Americans during the 1950s and the 1960s. Downstage right and left, four chairs, two on each side, suggested the overflow of a concert and served as props for various scenes of action. Robeson used one chair to represent the cross of Christ that was supported by Simon the Cyrenian when he was given the lead role in the play by the same name. Robeson played the role of the Black man who was Jesus’s cross-bearer. Another chair was used when...