By Williamena Kwapo | OBSERVER Staff Writer
“Golden Wings,” the latest stage play by Coolidge Harris II, recently made its world premiere in Sacramento at the Guild Theater in Oak Park. This captivating production delves into the complexities of family, faith, and forgiveness, centering on a woman’s return to the family she once left behind. As she unveils a long-buried truth, she metaphorically receives her “golden wings,” symbolizing her journey toward redemption.
Harris, who previously wrote the acclaimed play “Greenwood” in 2021, has crafted a narrative that is both richly symbolic and deeply rooted in the importance of family ties. While “Greenwood” tackled the heavy historical subject of the Tulsa Race Massacre, Harris wanted his next project to be more imaginative and fun. With “Golden Wings,” he has achieved this balance, delivering a production that is as emotionally resonant as it is entertaining.
“This is a play you’re going to talk about on your way home,” Harris said. “It’s a conversation piece, with themes of loyalty, forgiveness, character, and honor woven throughout.”
Harris began writing “Golden Wings” three years ago and successfully test-drove the play in New York with notable talents such as Rain Pryor, daughter of Richard Pryor, and Tony Award-winning actress Lillias White. When the opportunity arose to premiere the play in Sacramento, Harris eagerly accepted.
Set in 1965 in the Hunters Point district of San Francisco, “Golden Wings” opened at the Guild Theatre on Thursday, August 15, to a packed house. Featuring Naomi Randle-Ludd in her directorial debut, the play’s minimalistic set design captured the essence of a typical Black household from that era, immediately drawing the majority Black audience into the characters’ world.
The play’s strength lies in its well-developed, nuanced characters, many of whom are portrayed by a predominantly older cast. The ensemble delivers heartfelt and authentic performances, making the audience feel as though they are part of the family’s living room, witnessing intimate moments of love, tension, and reconciliation.
“It’s a wonderful piece. I can’t tell people enough,” said Carl Atwater, who plays one of the main characters, Langston Brown. Atwater, a 66-year-old Howard University alum and a “lifetime performer,” has shared stages with legends like Aretha Franklin and the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. He believes this play will resonate with audiences, a theory that was confirmed at the Sacramento premiere, where the audience’s enthusiastic reactions to the humorous script and surprising reveals were evident.
Attendees like Alfreda O’Neal praised the play’s themes and character development, while others, like Rena Ciscl, appreciated its connection to real life. “I think the play was good, enlightening, and relatable. The script, words, and relation to religion made it really realistic,” Ciscl commented.”Golden Wings” is now heading to Stockton, with a performance scheduled at the Tillie Lewis Theatre on August 24 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase online.