A Huey P. Newton Story

by Roger Guenveur Smith, Susan Albert Loewenberg

In his brilliantly imagined, Obie Award-winning show, Roger Guenveur Smith explores the life of the controversial Black Panther leader through a series of improvisations based on Newton's own words and writings. Biography, satire, and socio-political commentary blend within a landscape of fantastic sound design to create a provocative, surreal and always surprising portrait of the complex times in which he lived.

Genres: Plays, Theatre

Audio CD

First published February 1, 2007

Reviews

[Kimrene09 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shows him as more than a revolutionary movement. Timid yet moving, a definite read for people who need a push in inspiration of finding their inner pride.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore Roger Guenveur Smith's prose and performances. I'm pulled into a world of a mind, and will be transfixed and hypnotized until the very last breath - and left wanting more.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just read The Black Panthers graphic history and it made me recall one of its founding members and this basically one man play, based on Newton’s writings and life and improvised, brought me back to days when I actually heard him speak at a Black Panthers meeting in Ann Arbor. He was to me pretty trippy, funny, provocative, sometimes angry, usually insightful on some level.

You might recall Bobby Seale, the other cofounder, was one of The Chicago Seven. Both were not satisfied with the slow process of non-violence MLK advocated. They were seen as revolutionaries, leaning in a Malcolm X “any means necessary” direction, including shooting back when cops were shooting at them. In the long run they were not successful in persuading a lot of people to this position, but it’s an interesting political position. I mean, that’s the position this country took with England….

The acting in this play is compelling and interesting. You learn about the good things the Panthers did in community building, free breakfasts for kids, and so on.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding story and performance. Motivated me to find other Huey books.

[Stephanie Dargusch Borders · Rating 4 out of 5]

V well done. I enjoy audiobooks that offer something that you can’t get via the written text and this was quite the performance.

[Marie-Marcelle Millien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The performance of the audiobook was great.

[Adrienne Hines · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT! If I could give it more than 5 stars I would!

[Zac Stojcevski · Rating 5 out of 5]

The verbal rat a tat tat of the manic staccato of the (imagined) street repartee of the Black Panthers leader comes across as a machine gun of street smart witty wisdom.