'Crumbs' is on Stage at William Paterson University

Wayne residents looking to experience a little culture this week can head to William Paterson University to see “Crumbs from the Table of Joy” at the Hunziker Black Box Theatre.

The play, written by award-winning playwright Lynn Nottage, tells the story of a man trying to re-establish his life and family in Brooklyn after the death of his wife. Bryan Morales plays Godfrey, a father trying to pick up the pieces of his life in Brooklyn shortly before the Civil Rights Movement.

“Godfrey is a throwback to the old fathers of the 1950s,” said Morales, a theater major who acknowledges that although it is a period piece, “Crumbs” has a plethora of modern themes embedded in it. “Sexual independence, atheism, interracial relationships, we have all that plus some good laughs."

But the show has a larger theme to it.

“It has a lot of African-American references, but it embraces a larger scope of humanity,” said director Sherrie Ahlin.

Godfrey is the father of two daughters, played by Amanda Starks and Celestine Dupree. They are joined by Aiyahna Sanders, who plays Lily, a free spirit who shows interest in Godfrey. Sanders, who is not a theatre major but has appeared in several university productions, is enjoying the stray from her typical characters.

"Lily is an exciting, outgoing black woman,” Sanders said. "I always play mothers, people who are responsible... now I'm my own age and outgoing, so it's a nice change of pace."

“This show pushes boundaries; it goes in a direction other stories shy away from,” said Brooke Schuldt, who plays Gerte Schulte, a white German immigrant who is fascinated with Negro music and Godfrey's family. “It speaks to anyone left out of anything, and speaks to a lot of socieite's struggles."

“Crumbs” is part of The College of Arts and Communication's Cross-Cultural Arts Festival, which displays music, theater and art from different world cultures. This year's theme is Africa and the African Diaspora. Events will run throughout the end of March. A full list of cultural events can be viewed at http://www.wpunj.edu/coac/ccaf.dot.

“Crumbs From the Table of Joy” debuts tonight at 8 p.m. It will also be staged March 4 at 11 a.m. and March 6 at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $12, $9 for William Paterson University community members and senior citizens.