David Pegram as Chet Simpkins. ©Photo by Jerry Naunheim, Jr.
From Friday, October 18 through Sunday, November 10, Fly will be performed at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. The play, written by Tray Ellis and Ricardo Khan, relates the turbulent story of the Tuskegee Airmen as they struggle to earn their wings during WWII and fight to prove that a black man has just as much right to soar in the sky.
The show is a mélange of witty repartee, profound narration, steadfast determination, and fearful confessions; it’s also laced with humor and, of course, tackles racism head-on.
The eight-man cast had challenging roles to fill. The fiery Tap Griot (Omar Edwards) is the dancing narrator throughout, expressing with his staccato taps the fury, grief, and joy that the airmen cannot. The four young airmen portray a range of personalities, from the overconfident woman-chaser W.W. (Eddie Brown) to the calm and passionate Chet (David Pegram), who wants nothing more than to fly. Captain O’Hurley (Greg Brostrom) doesn’t make things easy for the men as they endure their training, often hurling racist insults their way and making every attempt to turn them against one another.
When asked if the cast had trouble with these sensitive issues, Pegram responded, “One of the greatest things about our rehearsal process was how much we openly discussed the racial and social climate of our play. As actors, our job is to tell a story, no matter how ugly or painful. We all approached our work with maturity and respect.”
What made you want to do the show?
DP: It helps keep the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen alive. Those who served deserve our greatest admiration and respect. I believe Fly is a testament to that.
Did you do any research about the Tuskegee airmen in preparation for this role?
We, as a cast, did extensive research preparing for this play. Aside from numerous books and documentaries made available to us, we had a pilot brought into rehearsal to teach us as much as possible about flying. We learned everything from the breakdown of the cockpit, up to how to recover from a stalled engine before we were taken to the National Museum of the United States Air Force to test our skills in an actual flight simulator. Separate the men from the boys. We all actually did pretty well.
That sounds like an amazing experience, and I’m sure that’s what gives the performance such authenticity. What’s your favorite part about Fly?
At the very end of our curtain call, we turn and salute those who helped change the course of history. It's a reminder that we are paying homage and it is simply beautiful.
That was an extremely powerful and touching moment. Is there anything that you would like to add?
During the course of our rehearsals and performances, we have had the privilege of meeting and speaking with various living Tuskegee Airmen. Never have I been more star-struck in my entire life. They are a group unlike any other in history and I thank them for their integrity, valor, and excellence.
Performances of Fly take place at the Loretto-Hilton Theatre (130 Edgar) on the Webster University Campus. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit repstl.org/season/show/fly/ or call 314-968-4925.
