The Trials and Tribulations of Staggerlee Booker T. Brown
THE STORY: The play begins in the Nite Life bar, where one of the denizens recounts the tale of the Reverend Booker T. Brown, a good-hearted preacher of middle years who finds himself smitten by the charms of a nubile young parishioner. His temptation is put to the test when Big Red (better know as the devil) offers him a proposition: all the money he can spend plus the favors of his desired, in exchange for which the Reverend must sign away his soul. He agrees—but then recants—which leads to the central action of the piece, an hilarious play-within-a-play in which all the actors appear in double roles as good and evil clash with the Reverend’s immortal soul hanging in the balance. It is touch and go for a while, yet all works out happily in the end—but not before a joyous good time is had by audiences and actors alike.
This fast-paced and very funny play uses a highly theatrical interpretation of the Faust legend to illuminate its hilarious insights into the plight of a black preacher fallen prey to the desires of the flesh.
“Marvelous, hilarious, supremely funny.” —Amsterdam News.
“This is an exuberant production in which cast and audience vie with each other to see who can have the most fun.” —Time-Off.
“The play culminates in a hilariously scripted courtroom confrontation that draws more upon the Marx Brothers than it does upon Perry Mason.” —Asbury Park News.
