Loved The Moving “Last Chance Cafe,” By Susan Charlotte

Yesterday at the wonderful Society For Ethical Culture (1 West 64th Street), I thoroughly enjoyed and was moved tremendously, seeing a performance/reading of another great Susan Charlotte work, “Last Chance Cafe.”

Previously I had seen “The People Versus Lenny Bruce,” a true work, detailing a reality, so unfortunately beyond relevant again, the first of Ms. Charlotte’s trilogy about the great, determined, brave attorney, Marty Garbus, who was at yesterday’s event.

“Last Chance Cafe” performed by a stellar cast was about the horrible treatment of a very brave Black woman, Mrs. Wright in 1965 Mississippi. Once said by a brilliant actor Maximilian Schell in the seminal film, “The Man In The Glass Booth,” RELEVANT!!

Jeremy Webb skillfully moves the work along as the narrator/Marty Garbus. Gene Castle is a superb tap dancer/choreographer. Ditto (ode to “Ghost”) regarding Michael Citriniti and his guitar playing.

Darlene Hope shines brightly as Mrs. Wright. Though playing bad, a skill in itself, Jerry Gallagher, Scott Gunner and Ian Lithgow give fine performances.

Susan Charlotte adapted the work and story for the stage with Antony Marsellis directing.

Mike Osgood, also a man with a long record of excellent, selfless contributions, co-produced and with Mr. Garbus took part in a brief, but truly revealing Q&A.

It was a great experience and I look forward to and suggest strongly seeing Ms. Charlotte’s final part of the trilogy, “Unlucky Gal: The Jane Doe Story” on November 19th at The New York Society for Ethical Culture.

What an honor for me to have spoken with the fabulous Marty Garbus, pictured above.

I told him, I know as we all do, you put your pants on one leg at a time, but it is extraordinary to have done as much brave good, as you have.

The New York Society for Ethical Culture

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