Pamela Brown Auditorium, Louisville, Ky.
September 21 – October 19, 2002
John D. Archbold Theatre, Syracuse, N.Y.
October 24 – November 10, 2002
As Doub, seated right, with Doug Brown as Turnbo and Charles Weldon as Becker (PHOTO: Steve Sartori)
Critical Response
“Every other character created by Wilson comes to vivid life in the ATL performances. Especially memorable are Doug Brown as Turnbo, a gossipy, trouble-making meddler; William Charles Mitchell as the easy-going, heavy drinking Fielding, and Johnny Lee Davenport as the well-grounded and responsible Doub.”
—Charles Whaley, totaltheater.com (September 2002)
“Johnny Lee Davenport as Doub and William Charles Mitchell as Fielding anchor the cast with strong performances.”
—Suzanne Connelly, The Post-Standard (October 27, 2002)
“The cast is excellent and works well as an ensemble. Johnny Lee Davenport gives a nicely subtle performance as Doub. He also has a wonderful voice, so I wasn’t surprised to see his lengthy Shakespeare credits.”
—Connie Meng, North Country Public Radio (October 28, 2002)
“Johnny Lee Davenport, Doug Brown, Chuma Hunter Gault, Charles Weldon, Pascale Armand, Charles Parnell, William Charles Mitchell, Ray Anthony Thomas and Tyrone Mitchell Henderson make up the ensemble. While there is a glut of talent on the stage no one ever seems overmatched. Everyone is on the same page, everyone has the play’s heartbeat pulsing through their character. Nothing seems forced because these actors have created a world for themselves in which the only sensible things to do or say are what the playwright has provided for them. They are here to communicate Wilson’s intentions to the audience and they do it impeccably.”
—Tom Woods, Auburn Citizen (October 29, 2002)
“The performances are as rich as the characters. Johnny Lee Davenport’s Doub registers as Samuel L. Jackson at his finest.”
—Joan E. Vadeboncoeur, The Post-Standard (November 1, 2002)
“Driven by its profound acting and powerful storyline, the Syracuse Stage’s production of ‘Jitney’ takes audiences on an emotional journey through the lives of five black men and their struggles to stand despite the press of life’s isolating and abandoning hand. . . .The actors also convey these emotions through their continuously testy interactions. Johnny Lee Davenport (Doub) and Doug Brown (Turnbo) create an electric chemistry that foils experiential reason with angry frustration.”
—Ashley Joyner, The Daily Orange (November 7, 2002)