Live at the Littman Theater – ‘Love Equals an Empty Tomb’
By Jimmie Davis, Jr.
South Florida residents, now that Easter’s right around the corner what are you planning to do on Good Friday on March 29 at 7 p.m. and Holy Saturday March 30, 2013 at 4 p.m.
Well you could treat the family to an awe inspiring theatrical production at the Littman Theater, 17011 NE 19 Ave. , North Miami Beach entitled “Love Equals an Empty Tomb” featuring Master Storyteller, and Playwright Christal Walker along with her 12 member dance troupe and five female vocalists.
The play is in its third year and this time around the affair will feature a youth storytelling conference where none other than Grammy Award nominated singer/song writer Myles Jaye will deliver the Keynote: “The Power of Stories” Saturday, March 30 at 1 p.m.
The Westside Gazette was invited to review a screening of the dramatic piece, which was recently held at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center located in Liberty City.
“Stories are a medium that’s been used for a very long time, and everyone loves a good story,” said Christal Walker, 42, before the rehearsal. “This production is about telling the passion of Christ his death and resurrection.”
Walker says she’s been writing and telling stories for most of her life and that God is her sole source of inspiration.
Furthermore, she has other productions under her belt “Women of the Bible Speak” which will debut in May and is called “His Name Was Called Jesus,” Walker’s Christmas play.
Cynthia Hereford Johnson, 54, saw the Easter play last time around and says she’s planning on seeing it again this year as well.
“It’s an excellent Christian play,” Johnson said. “All Christians should come out and see this great story that’s in the Bible.”
Parents normally tell stories to their children, but in this case Christal’s mother Betty Walker, 70, admires the way her lovely daughter catches everyone’s attention as she tells her stories.
“She tells each story differently,” said Betty. “Christal shares her stories at the level where each and everyone will understand.”
Julia E. Brown, spokeswoman, says Easter is not just a-bout eggs and pretty clothes to wear to church – it’s about the resurrection of Christ and that’s why the play is so enlightening.
Sure there are lights, camera and action – but a performance of this magnitude requires music, and Tonyessa Pierre, 31, Musical Director, says in this year’s show the music is more intense with several selections.
“The message of the story is the foundation of the play,” Pierre said. “The music helps paint the picture.”
Terry Rutherford, 60, speculates that there wouldn’t be so many dysfunctional youth in the neighborhood if they had a spiritual upbringing and would like the community to come out and support the play.
“This is the type of stuff that we ought to be teaching our kids,” said Rutherford. “This is truly a spiritual rendition of the spoken word, which provides aspiration to the essence of Jesus to come.”
Walker says that the name of the play was spoken to her from God and that the empty tomb of Jesus is the assurance we have that demonstrates God’s love towards humanity.
