Review Roundup: A SOLDIER'S PLAY Launches National Tour

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Roundabout Theatre Company has officially launched its national touring production of the 2020 Tony Award-winning Best Revival of the 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning A Soldier's Play.

Written by American playwright Charles Fuller, A Soldier's Play stars Norm Lewis as 'Captain Richard Davenport' and is directed by Tony Award winner and Roundabout Theatre Company's Senior Resident Director Kenny Leon. The North American tour of A Soldier's Play began at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, CT and officially opened its 20-week North American tour on December 15 at The Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theatre.

Find out what the critics thought of the show below!

Brian Slattery, New Haven Independent: Norm Lewis’s Davenport is a steady hand as the audience’s guide through the hornet’s nest of Fort Neal; he’s shrewd and strategic, knowing when to be ingratiating and when to take a stand, to find out the truth of what’s happened. Connell excels as a man trying to navigate his way out of the racist maze he finds himself lost in. Each of the soldiers has his time to shine, especially Tarik Lowe as the outspoken, unafraid Private Melvin Peterson and Sheldon D. Brown as the amiable and deeply tragic Private C.J. Memphis. The banter between the soldiers — vital, vivacious young men — offers a key balance to the heavy subject matter and to the seriousness of the investigation. As the deeply problematic Sgt. Waters, Eugene Lee has the toughest job. His performance is riveting and uncomfortable in the best sense; even as he says some of the most hateful things heard on a stage around here in quite some time, Lee convinces us that his character believes he’s doing the right thing.

Lucy Gellman, Arts Council Greater New Haven: No pair is more interesting to watch than Lewis and Lee, who cross paths only through Fuller’s bending of time. As Davenport, Lewis is suave, sharp, deeply thoughtful and even funny, both amused and angered by how deeply he is underestimated. Even as he remains process-oriented, it’s clear that he loves these boys, and sees in each of them some version of himself. In a sort of postscript describing their entrance into Nazi Europe, he finally lets his guard down, and the audience can see the exhaustion in his whole body.

David Friscic, BroadwayWorld.com: All the actors in this cast of twelve are excellent. Renowned actor Norm Lewis (as Captain Richard Davenport) portrays his role with an air of steely and calm authority. Lewis' commanding and discerning interpretation shows him as always thinking one step ahead of the other characters ----as this character would rightfully do.

Norah Dick, MD Theatre Guide: Davenport’s stalwart and straightforward pursuit of answers ends in a satisfying, though profoundly bittersweet, conclusion—the mystery may resolve, but the war does not. In uncovering the generational trauma of racism that is at the story’s core, the show seems to suggest that the Captain’s ability to find some truth delivers, if not justice, then at least one step forward.

Adam Bell, The Charlotte Observer: For that to happen, “A Soldier’s Play” needs to work on many levels: as a murder mystery, a memory play, an exploration of Black identity and service, and as a portrait of multiple characters who are anything but one- dimensional. It succeeds on every level in both entertaining the audience and challenging their expectations and assumptions. Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article270943942.html#storylink=cpy

Vickie Evans, BroadwayWorld: An observation for me is the relevancy of the storyline racism is still as prevalent today as it was during the time period in which A Soldier's Play was set. Major kudos to director, Kenny Leon, the cast of A Soldier's Play, and of course the playwright, the late Charles Fuller (who passed away last year) for reminding this audience that we still have a long way to go to knock down the door of racism, whether it is systemic or individualized.

Kathia Woods, The Philadelphia Tribune: In addition to showcasing Lewis’ impressive abilities, the play also included a number of other outstanding performances. Sheldon Brown is one of those standouts. He portrays one of the central characters of the play, Pvt. C.J. Memphis, a harmless yet soft spoken, athletically gifted athlete. He’s at odds with Sgt. Vernon C. Waters due to his laid-back nature. Waters deems him unintelligent.

Joe Sarafolean, BroadwayWorld: Although Norm Lewis' name appears about the title of the production, he shares the stage with one of the strongest ensembles in recent memory. This is definitely a show that works best when everyone works together and there is no shortage of talent within the cast. Every member has there moment in the spotlight and rest assured, they make you feel every word that leads to a finale that is sure to leave a gut punch.

Rob Hubbard, TwinCities.com: While “Broadway” is often invoked in the promotional materials for shows putting down stakes at St. Paul’s Ordway Center and Minneapolis’ Orpheum Theatre, those productions don’t customarily come directly from New York’s Great White Way. More often, they’re built exclusively for the road. Such is not the case with Roundabout Theatre Company’s staging of Charles Fuller’s Pulitzer-winning drama, “A Soldier’s Play.” It won the 2020 Tony Award for “Best Revival of a Play”

Russell Florence, Jr., Dayton.com: As the richly drawn characters converse and tussle, Fuller’s examination of toxic masculinity provides fascinating fodder for character development and interplay. Private C.J. Memphis, a laidback, soulful presence in the midst of more fiery personalities, is portrayed by Sheldon D. Brown, a Dayton native and 2010 Stivers School for the Arts graduate.

Average Rating: 86.0%