Feature photo: L to R- Eric Robinson Jr., Steve H. Broadnax III (Director & Playwright), Elijah Jones (seated), John Clarence Stewart, and Keith A. Wallace. By Mark Garvin
Bonez cast member Elijah Jones says it best- “you just gotta come see it.” This play, a world premiere presentation at People’s Light through October 15th only, tells the story of “The Bruhs”- friends who gather for a game of dominos at Trey’s new deluxe apartment. But as they play, laugh, drink their beers…a knock keeps banging from next door. Louder. Louder!
Below, cast members Elijah Jones (who plays Derek) and Keith A. Wallace (Trey), talk about the production, the significance of the story, and the parallels the horror genre and the Black male experience.
Make a plan to see Bonez at People’s Light. Tickets and more info can be found here.
Q: Tell us about your character in Bonez? What’s your significance to the story?
Elijah Jones: Derek is a visual arts graduate student at NYU who comes along with his cousin to watch the Bruhs play dominos. He’s a kid from a rough neighborhood who just wants to fit in with the fellas.
Keith A. Wallace: Trey is a college professor and well-respected researcher in his field. Though he is a man of means, he maintains casual and approachable within his circle of friends. Trey is the host of the Bruhs’ monthly dominoes gathering and conducts the evening’s festivities at this ‘deluxe apartment in the sky.’
Q: What were your initial reactions when you read the play? Why did you want to be a part of it?
EJ: My initial reaction was, ‘Steve is brilliant’. I’d never seen anything like this on stage before. It’s healing and horrifying at the same time. As an artist, I want my work to expand the definition of “black masculinity,” and this piece is doing just that, so I knew I needed to be a part of it.
KAW: I felt grateful that someone had taken on the responsibility of creating a story where Black men could exist in flawed and exquisite authenticity. There is some aspect of each character that I can relate to, and that they can exist without fear of scrutiny and judgment was both liberating and affirming. These men are my father, my brothers, my friends, me. I needed to be a part of the team that brought these characters and their stories to life. I also couldn’t pass up a chance to do horror onstage!
Q: Steven H. Broadnax III, the playwright, said he recognized the parallels between the horror genre and the lived Black male experience. Without giving much away – can you note some examples from the play and why?
KAW: As a Black man, what Steve has done with this play is externalized some of our deepest fears, vulnerabilities, pain, and past; and has offered us a gathering space to engage with those ‘demons.’ The play talks about certain rites of passage that we, as Black men, are forced to go through and how those skeletons follow us into our adulthood. Black Americans’ mere existence is the boogeyman to many people in this country, and this play demands that we look at how societal stigmas and biases haunt many of us; challenges us to confront them head-on.
EJ: You just gotta come see it.
Q: What makes People’s Light the perfect setting for this play’s world premiere debut?
EJ: People’s Light has been incredibly supportive of this piece and all of the artists involved. They’ve given us as many resources as they can to help bring this show to life.
KAW: The team at People’s Light has encouraged Steve and the cast to be as bold and authentic offstage as the play requires onstage. This kind of ‘people first’ approach sets a fertile ground for radical healing and transformation. One example of such is the theatre’s support in producing THE BONEYARD, a limited series podcast that functions as a masculine safe place where the Bruhs of BONEZ discuss some of the play’s most important themes and how they relate to our own personal lives in a weekly roundtable cast chat. Grappling with concepts around masculinity, manhood, intimacy, generational trauma, and self-worth, the cast challenges stereotypes and stigma and creates a space for inspired, radical truth and recognition for Black men. The series was inspired by the rich and edifying conversations that Steve and the ensemble had while developing BONEZ, and this series extends the conversation into the community.
Q: Why do you hope audiences come out to see Bonez? What messages do you hope they take away from the experience?
EJ: Like I said, I’ve never seen anything like this on stage, and I really believe this piece has the potential to be healing for a lot of folks. If nothing else, I hope people walk away with a better understanding of how the way we treat young kids, specifically young Black boys, can stay with them for the rest of their lives.
KAW: I’m hoping that audiences will walk away with a renewed commitment to face their inner demons, traumas, and challenges head-on. As well as compassion and empathy for Black men who are on a healing journey. Recognizing that some of the things we’re navigating, especially as Black men, were handed to us as boys and have been haunting us ever since.
Q: Bonez is at People’s Light during the height of “spooky season”. What are some of your favorite horror movies or television series?
EJ: A couple of my favorite horror movies/shows are Talk to Me, Hereditary, Get Out, and American Horror Story: Coven.
KAW: I loved teen slasher movies growing up, so I Know What You Did Last Summer was a favorite. When I was younger Child’s Play and It kept me up many nights as well. I also loved the book and later television series, Goosebumps.
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