Theatre Review: “The Tallest Tree in the Forest”

“The Tallest Tree in the Forest,” a show written and performed by Daniel Beaty at Brooklyn Academy of Music’s (B.A.M.) Harvey Theater is a brilliant look at the life of the great performer and activist, Paul Robeson.

Directed by Moises Kaufman, and with three musicians accompanying the extremely talented Mr. Beaty, the play dug deep into the feelings of a man so great and yet relatively unknown, (beyond unknown, relative to his greatness.)

The reasons for this injustice and much of Mr. Robeson’s life, good and bad are discussed.

The fact he organized different groups and causes and that his protests which went beyond the racial prejudice that actually was law in the United States (it still stings to think about it and frankly one wonders how it will ever be completely overcome, but overcome it we must) account for Mr. Robeson and our loss to history.

In his great performance, Beaty brings to life Mr. Robeson’s activism, acting and yes his singing.

With renditions of “Happy Days Are Here Again” and what Beaty as Robeson, called “a nice little ditty” actually a classic, “Ol’ Man River,” the great singing was brought to life.

Beaty’s talent includes a great skill with accents, as he played all the voices including those of Robeson’s wife, Eslanda and Yiddish poet Itzik Feffer.

Mr. Beaty received a well deserved standing ovation. As I looked around and up in the magnificent theater, I felt pretty sure both Paul Robeson and son Paul Robeson Jr.,  (who once graced my television show with his eloquent presence) appreciated the great performance from a “better place.”

On this day and surely others, the Harvey Theater was a great place to be and “The Tallest Tree in the Forest” was a magnificent tribute, with perspective, to one of the greatest figures of the last century.

Daniel Beaty