History and drama merge in play with Tallahassee ties to Bricklers, Tubman, DuBois

Have you ever wondered how you might have voted as a member of a long-ago jury if called upon to render a fateful opinion? The Salem Witch Trials? The Nuremberg Trials? The U.S. Justice Department and whether it had made mistakes? Well, soon, you will have the chance for deliberation.

On Feb. 18 at 6 p.m., at Florida A&M’s Lee Hall Auditorium, you, along with 10 members of an on-stage jury will “participate” in a dramatic trial.

In perfect alignment with Black History Month, Quincy-native Chad Lawson Cooper will bring to Tallahassee his production of his own off-Broadway play, “The Descendants Speak.”

Testifying in the “witness stand” will be Harriet Tubman and Dr. W.E.B DuBois enlightening the jury of other actors as to the racism that pervaded so much of America’s past. But there will also be “jury members” who are not actors.

Jeffery DuBois Peck, great-grandson of Dr. W.E.B. DuBois, and members of Tallahassee’s Alexander Dumas Brickler family, including Dr. A.J. Brickler — all of them descendants of Harriet Tubman, will also sit onstage as members of a grand jury.

Family history: Pioneer physician Dr. A.D. Brickler was 'a guiding light' to generations

Peck's previous portrayal of his great-great-grandfather in Cooper's "Justice on Trial" demonstrates versatility, making him an ideal choice for the role of Dr. W. E. B. DuBois. Alicia Robinson Cooper, wife of Chad Cooper, has extensive experience as an actress and singer adds excitement to the cast.

As a special “bonus,” a seven-minute film about the beloved obstetrician, the late legendary Dr. A. D. Brickler II, will find its way into the play.

But sometimes great people like DuBois and Tubman do not “become great” until their story is told. And multi-talented Chad Lawson Cooper is a master at bringing the passion and the power of these great lives to the stage and the screen.

Today, Cooper is an actor, a gospel singer, a playwright, a movie producer, and the entrepreneur/owner of The Chad Cooper Company, a theatrical production group situated in Manhattan.

But Cooper didn’t start out with theatrical stardust in his eyes. Instead, Cooper, who holds degrees in religion and theology, says he simply wanted to pastor a church and teach.

“But my wife dragged me to a play some 20 years ago, and I had an epiphany. I felt a great call that I was to make movies and plays,” Cooper said. “I’d say my career chose me.” The kinds of theater he writes and produces is what one professional called, “edu-tainment.”

The titles of his three films, “Revival,” “Justice on Trial,” “Troubled Water,” and the play at FAMU, “The Descendants Speak,” all bring information about social justice and injustice and how things need to change. Cooper’s wife, the riveting actress/singer, Alice Robinson Cooper, will be at his side and on stage as she has been for over 20 years.

As a special treat, the audience at “The Descendants Speak,” will get to witness the presentation to historian Althemese Barnes of a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Volunteer Award, signed by President Joe Biden. Barnes is the former Executive Director and the Founder of the John G. Riley Museum.

Riley Museum is offering a special price on $50 tickets this week only to the play at FAMU with a special general admission price of $50 and $45 for students. Those interested should call, 850-891-3560. The Riley House Museum is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for this offer.

If you go

What: The stage play, “The Descendants Speak”

Where: FAMU’s Lee Hall, 1601 S. MLK Blvd.

When: 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18

Tickets: $100; purchase by phone: 212-786-6460 or eventbrite.com; Riley House offering special $50 tickets for limited time at 850-891-3560

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: History and drama merge in play with ties to Tallahassee family