Fall has arrived. With it comes the changing foliage and brisk breeze of north winds. Much like the changing of seasons, life changes. Sometimes those changes can have a profound effect on society. With this idea in mind, Kennie Playhouse Theatre (KPT) presents Pure Confidence by Carlyle Brown, a dramatic stage play honoring the legacy of Black horse jockeys. This is the second installment of a two-part series on ‘Forgotten Heroes of American History.’ This timely production comes at the height of social and political sanctions banning historical books that speak to the plight of disenfranchised people.
Carlyle Brown (an African-American playwright known for his works that explore the themes of race, identity, and history) wrote Pure Confidence, a riveting drama of slavery and reconstruction, about the high-stakes world of Civil War-era horse racing. Both Simon Cato, a smart, cocky ‘colored’ jockey, and his horse Pure Confidence are owned by Col. Wiley Johnson. Cato uses his wits and his championship winnings to buy his and his wife’s freedom. With a vivid backdrop of fast horses, gritty racetracks, and high-stakes betting, Pure Confidence is an extraordinary tale of human triumphs and failings exploring the true meaning of freedom. History can never be rewritten; therefore, it is the duty of us all to ensure that it is not erased.
You can expect stellar performances from a wonderful blend of actors including Parnell ‘Paj’ Jackson, Jr. as Simon Cato; Kimberly Groves as Caroline; Craig Hartline as Col. Wiley Johnson; Josh Kiev as George Dewitt/Clerk; Deb Seidel as Mattie Johnson; and Will Henke as the Auctioneer/Reporter.
Pure Confidence performances will run from Nov. 30-Dec. 10, with a special daytime performance welcoming seniors on December 5 at 10 a.m. To learn more about Pure Confidence performance times and how to purchase tickets, visit: <www.kennieplayhousetheatre.org>.
Kennie Playhouse Theatre’s mission is to create a platform that gives the underserved acting community an opportunity to perform for a diverse audience, producing high-quality theatrical productions that are entertaining, historical, stimulating, and educational commemorating the African American experience—engaging and inspiring the dreams of youth through education.
