Fly (play) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fly |
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Theatrical poster from Ford's Theater 2009 production
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| Written by | Trey Ellis and Ricardo Khan |
| Place of premiere | Crossroads Theater, New Brunswick, NJ |
| Original language | English |
| Subject | The Tuskegee Airmen |
| Setting | January 20, 2009 (Inauguration Day); Summer of 1943, Tuskegee, Alabama; and in the air over Germany during World War II |
Fly is an exciting play from 2009. It was written by Trey Ellis and Ricardo Khan. The play tells the amazing true story of the Tuskegee Airmen. These brave men were the very first black pilots in the U.S. military during World War II.
Contents
The Story Behind Fly
Ricardo Khan, one of the play's writers and director, had a great idea for the play. He saw a photo of the Tuskegee Airmen and was amazed. He saw "men of color, dressed in their pilot’s uniforms." Khan wanted to know more about these heroes. He felt it was important to "tell their story" to the world.
A shorter version of Fly was first created in 2005. It was for young audiences. This early play was shown in 2007 and 2008. Later, a longer version was developed. It premiered in October 2009 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. This happened at the Crossroads Theater.
An important helper for the play was Dr. Roscoe Brown. He was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen. Dr. Brown suggested using real World War II film clips in the play. This helped make the story feel even more real. Both writers, Khan and Ellis, had worked on stories about the Tuskegee Airmen before.
What Fly is About
Fly shares the story of the first black pilots in the U.S. military. They were part of the 332nd Fighter Group. But they became famous as the "Tuskegee Airmen." This name came from Tuskegee, Alabama. That's where they trained to become pilots. They were also known as the "Red Tail Black Eagles."
Meet the Characters
The play features four main characters. They are Chet, W.W., Oscar, and J. Allen.
- Chet is from Harlem.
- W.W. is from Chicago.
- Oscar is from Iowa.
- J. Allen is from the West Indies.
These characters show that the Tuskegee Airmen came from many different places. Not all of them finished their training. Not all of them survived the war. Other actors play white instructors and pilots. These characters often doubted that black men could fly in the military.
A Story Told Through Time
The story begins with Chet as an older man. He is in Washington, D.C., on the day Barack Obama became the first black President of the United States. Chet tells his story through flashbacks. We see his training and service as a Tuskegee Airman. The play reminds us that the surviving Tuskegee Airmen were invited to Obama's inauguration.
The Tuskegee Airmen faced racism at home. Yet, they prepared to fight for their country overseas. They fought "two wars." One was against enemy forces abroad. The other was against racism in America and overseas.
Ricardo Khan says the play is about more than just fighting racism. It's also about chasing your dreams. He says it's about "lifting yourself off the ground." It's about reaching for your dream. It's about rising up in your mind and heart, just like flying into the sky.
How the Play is Made
The play has a cast of eight men. One special character is "Tap Griot." This dancer uses tap dance to show feelings. He appears many times. He uses dance to comment on what's happening. He shows anger or excitement through his steps.
A "Griot" is a storyteller from West Africa. They keep history alive through stories. The Tap Griot in the play is like a keeper of feelings. The Tuskegee Airmen had to hide their emotions during the war. The Tap Griot helps show their hidden feelings. He can express their rage, fear, or sadness.
Large video screens are used in the play. They show images of black history. They show views from a plane's cockpit. This makes you feel like you are flying. They also show real Tuskegee Airmen at the end. The writers wanted the audience to feel like they were in a "video game onstage." They wanted to excite all your senses. The play is an "exciting war story." It teaches history without feeling like a lecture.
When President Obama invited the surviving Tuskegee Airmen to his inauguration, Khan added that moment to the play. The Tuskegee Airmen came home to a country that was still segregated. But their service helped bring about big changes for the future.
The play is about 90 minutes long. It has no intermission.
Where Fly Has Been Performed
After its first show, Fly was performed at Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. This was in September 2012. It was part of a special project. This project aimed to create talks about fairness and acceptance. Many real Tuskegee Airmen attended the opening night.
The play has been shown in many theaters across the country. These include Florida Studio Theatre and New Victory Theater. In 2016, a production at the Pasadena Playhouse won several awards. It won for Best Lighting, Best Choreography, and Best Production. The Alabama Shakespeare Festival also presented the play in 2018. In 2021, it was performed near New Orleans, Louisiana.
