Last week “Charlotte Talks” on NPR did a show on two plays going on in Charlotte about the death penalty. “The Exonerated” put on by the Charlotte Rep. and The Actor’s Theater “A Lesson Before Dying”. Both plays were receiving rave reviews. I had the privilege of seeing “A Lesson…” last night with my mom. I was looking forward to seeing the play, especially because I read the book last year and it was one of the reasons my views changed on the death penalty.

Anyway, I was excited but still leery because, well, this is Charlotte, not New York. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of actors and production. I have seen plays at the Actor’s Theater before and enjoyed them but none of them echo in comparison to this beautiful depiction of Gaines’ novel. Even my mother, the devote republican, was in tears when they executed Jefferson.

Grant and Jefferson played by Terrell Dulan and Nicholas Johnson may have graced the stage many times before but they were unrecognizable to me. They truly became those characters. The intimate setting at the Actors Theater also helped make it such a powerful night.

I would highly recommend going to see the play tonight, since it's the last night you can. But if you already have plans plan to attend some of their other productions in the future.

~R