“Miss Evers’ Boys” combines stellar acting and a compelling storyline to create a worthwhile theater-going experience.
The EttaGrace Black Theater Company is responsible for the Utah debut of “Miss Evers’ Boys” at the Grand Theater in Salt Lake City.
The story is based on the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment that ran from 1932 until 1972. The experiment was conducted to see the effects of untreated syphilis on the negro male and to be able to compare those effects to a similar study done on white men in Oslo, Norway.
The experiment continued even after penicillin was discovered to be an effective treatment against syphilis.
Latoya Rhodes plays Eunice Evers, a black nurse who is charged with administering health care and tests to men in the study. Through Rhodes’ performance, it is clear that Miss Evers cares for her boys and wants to do what is best for them. Rhodes also brings out the inner conflict that Miss Evers has as the test go further “over the hill.”
Lonzo Liggins is convincing as an angry, mistrustful Caleb Humphries. His performance makes the character come to life and gives Miss Evers a foil worthy to be her companion.
Sean Carter, as Willie Johnson, frames the second half of the play. As Willie goes from a champion gillier to suffering the effects of syphilis taking away his mobility, the play sinks into the dark depths of inhumanity.
Ricardo Eugene, as Hodman Bryan, convincingly falls into madness and both Hodman and Willie cry out on stage each during their own person torture that syphilis imposes on them.
The testing that was done to these men is unforgivable, and this play shows the dangers of good intentions and going along with the people in charge.
While the play is about a time in American history that most may want to forget, it does give the hope that if people know this story, they can stop the next injustice.
"Miss Evers' Boys will be showing at the Grand Theater from Feb. 2, 2012 through Feb. 18, 2012. For tickets, click here.
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