The Holmdel Theatre Company presents a reading of “An American Tree”



(HOLMDEL, NJ) — The Holmdel Theatre Company presents a reading of An American Tree by Di Shwn J. Gandy on Monday, November 13, 2023 at 7:00pm.  This is a new play set in the scorching summer of 1889 where deep in Alabama’s unforgiving Jim Crow South, the Bonner family’s legacy, a woven tapestry of two generations grappling with their painful history, teeters on the brink of revelation.

Sophronia, a mulatto and resilient matriarch, and Squire, her husband, both carry the weight of their enslavement’s heavy chains, haunted by memories that linger like shadows in the sweltering Alabama heat. Their son, Willie George, born into the promise of freedom, faces the insidious grip of the Jim Crow system, threatening their hard-fought progress. Amid a nation scarred by history, “An American Tree” delves into deep emotions and hidden secrets, where choices can save or shatter. As tension mounts, the heart-wrenching decision between preserving the fragile family and embracing the untold story unfolds, where past and present collide.

Within the walls of their home, the Bonner family’s journey is a poignant exploration of history’s enduring impact and the relentless fight for an elusive future. In a world where freedom is hope and illusion, their story resonates with the universal struggle for justice, identity, and the enduring strength of family bonds.

The reading is directed by Diane L. Parker. The cast includes: Carmen Balentine, Andrea LeTrell, Chris Grant, Ibn Abdul Khaaliq, Felicia Russell, and Peter Reimann.

There is a $5 suggest donation. After the reading, the audience is invited to stay for a discussion with the playwright and the cast. The Holmdel Theatre Company is located at 36 Crawfords Corner Road in Holmdel, New Jersey.

Holmdel Theatre Company at the Duncan Smith Theater (HTC) is a non-profit, semi-professional theatre company dedicated to presenting fresh interpretations of classic plays as well as rarely presented modern dramas and comedies. HTC is dedicated to providing opportunities for students and non-professionals to work with professional theatre artists in a collaborative, artistic and educational exchange.

Making this sophisticated informality possible is The Duncan Smith Theater. Congenial and warm, this historic, 125-year-old barn has been transformed into a modern, fully air-conditioned facility with 99 comfortably cushioned seats. The HTC performance space is a black box theatre that allows for flexibility in stage and seating arrangement to suit the specific requirements of a production. The Duncan Smith Theater gives each artist the opportunity to explore more experimental modes of performance. This intimate space allows the audience to connect with the performing artists.

This program is made possible in part by funds from Monmouth Arts, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners.