Aug. 3, 2005 – Oliver Samuels and Company returns once more to the Virgin Islands in Patrick Brown's hilarious comedy "Ras Noah and the Hawk" Friday, Aug. 12, on St. Croix at Island Center for the Performing Arts. It plays Saturday, Aug. 13 and Sunday Aug. 14, on St. Thomas at the Reichhold Center for the Arts. All performances begin at 8 p.m.
Samuels and Company's last visit to the Virgin Islands in November of 2004 kept the sold-out audiences at the edge of their seats in pure laughter and unadulterated fun.
In "Ras Noah and the Hawk," playwright Patrick Brown and director Trevor Nairne take many liberties with the famed Noah and the Ark tale. The Bible story is a mere distant relative to the tale that unfolds.
"Ras Noah and the Hawk" begins during Hurricane Ivan as Butcha (Oliver Samuels), a shopkeeper, is awaiting the return of his son Noah (Glen "Titus" Campbell) from his doctoral studies in the United States. Noah's return should mean Butcha's elevation in status. However, Butcha receives the shock of his life as Noah returns with dreadlocks rather than a stethoscope. Noah has not simply changed faith; he has never embarked on the social status ladder of "doctor." Noah does return, but his transformation knocks Butcha flat, a transformation that causes the villagers to burst into a song: "Noah tun Rasta." The situation is further complicated because Noah now believes that he is the "chosen one." Left at the behest of a confused "sketel" angel, who keeps getting divine messages wrong, Ras Noah and his father become the pariahs of their community.
Much of what fans of Jambiz International productions have come to expect can be found in "Ras Noah and the Hawk." At the top of the list are the satiric darts aimed at society. Like most of Brown's plays, "Ras Noah and the Hawk" takes a satiric look at much of the real world. As a result, jokes about kingfish, Hurricane Ivan, the United States of America, presidential elections, price gouging and a plethora of other issues make their appearance during the production.
The production also goes to great lengths to include the audience and uses the selection of animals on the ark to get a delightful level of audience participation. The burden of recreating Brown's whim onstage has been the task of director Trevor Nairne. Oliver Samuels and Glen Campbell are at the helm of the generally impressive cast along with Dahlia Harris, Sharee McDonald-Russell, Loeri Robinson, David French and Christopher Hutchinson.
Tickets are available on St. Croix at Alliance Clothing, Urban Threadz, the UVI Bookstore and the Reichhold Center Ticketing Office. On St. Thomas both Modern Music locations, Parrot Fish, Krystal & Gifts Galore, the UVI Bookstore, Connections on St. John and the Reichhold Center Ticketing Office.
For tickets call the Ticketing Office at 693-1559, and for more information regarding this performance contact Myrshem George, marketing manager at 693-1563.
