The book was personally illustrated by Standing Bear, a friend of Black Elk’s, who participated in the interviews with Neihardt. Neihardt which culminated in the publication of Black Elk Speaks in 1932. Now you shall go back with power from whence you came.”īlack Elk personally narrated his life story to John G. Each of his Six Grandfathers gave him a gift and the oldest told him, “Grandson, all over the universe you have seen. When he was only five years old he started hearing voices, and, when he was nine years old, he heard the same voices urging him to attend a council of his Six Grandfathers which took place in a Flaming Rainbow Teepee up in the clouds. Black Elk later on promoted the Ghost Dance Movement and personally observed the tragedy of the Wounded Knee massacre in the winter of 1890.īut the reason Black Elk is remembered is for his prophetic visionary talents. Black Elk and his father were also at Fort Robinson when Crazy Horse was killed while in captivity. Black Elk was a second cousin of Chief Crazy Horse and, as a young boy, he was on the scene at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Neihardt, published by William Morrow & Company, 1932.īlack Elk was a Holy Man of the Ogalala Sioux and a witness to many pivotal events in Native American history. Writers in Hollywood 1915-1951-Book Reviewīlack Elk Speaks, As Told to John G.Poetry Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Tickets or call 30.Featured Authors: Ella Rydzewski, i Jack Strandburg, i Steven Marini, i Roxanne Howe-Murphy, i J and C Wordsmiths, i Joshua Su, i Bob Brink, i David Castello, i James Hill, i Bryon Smith, i Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m.Through April 10 on the Aurora Fox Mainstage, 9900 E. With Doug Good Feather, Mo Brings-Plenty, Calvin Standing-Bear, Rodrigo Tactaquin, Sarah Ortegon, Jared Rains. The planned extinction did not occur: these American Indians and “Black Elk Speaks” together remind audiences that they and their traditions are still very much present.īased on the book by John Neihardt, adapted by Christopher Sergel. The story is horrific but it ends in a sort of triumph. Musicians onstage, under the direction of Calvin Standing-Bear, provide expressions of nature, conflict and spiritual uplift. Mo Brings-Plenty, Elizabeth Standing-Bear, Satya Chavez, Jared Rains and others put their hearts into the work, which may have added impact for local audiences, knowing the Sand Creek Massacre took place not far away. Good Feather is the focal point and the strongest voice, a profound but humble presence as he speaks and sings the sorrowful story. George Custer, Crazy Horse and the exploitative trip to England to perform for Queen Victoria in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show play out in what feels less like a drama than a pageant. The stories of Little Crow, Yellow Woman, Lt. Playing multiple roles, including the white generals and government officials - a twist on the vintage Western movies that used white actors to play Indian parts - the actors relate the dark history from the time of Columbus to the massacre at Wounded Knee. Holy man Black Elk (played by Doug Good Feather) hands down the story of their people to grandson Hoksila (Jose Guerrero), a thoroughly modern young Indian in the 1930s, wearing a business suit and rejecting the old ways. The story is structured as a grandfather’s imparting of wisdom to an initially disinterested grandson. ![]() He aimed to convey the spiritual aspect of the work. betts, recalls watching the DCTC production from the wings (he was an actor with the company in another play at the time). ![]() The director of the Aurora Fox’s version, donnie l. Neihardt and adapted by Christopher Sergel, and first produced at the Denver Center Theatre Company in 1993, the plays tells the story of the American Indians’ near extinction from their perspective. It succeeds in telling 400 years of history it is less successful as a stage production.īased on the 1932 book by John G. “Black Elk Speaks” relies on native storytelling traditions, dance and music to render a history lesson. The smell of burning sage permeates the Aurora Fox theater before each performance of “Black Elk Speaks” as it did before every rehearsal, the producer has noted, when the cast - 80 percent of whom are American Indians - would form a circle for a blessing ritual.īy bearing witness, the audience, too, participates in a ritual.Ĭlearly, this production holds significance beyond typical theater. Digital Replica Edition Home Page Close Menu
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