LOS ANGELES : Theater Aims to Counter Black Stereotypes on Stage

The proscenium sweeps out to a graceful arc, the plush seats rise to the back of the house, the neat rows of footlights tilt up--this is a theater that seems as poised and ready for a show as any off-Broadway house.

The West Angeles Christian Arts Center, however, is on Crenshaw Boulevard, far from New York’s madding crowds. And though philosophically it may seem even further removed from the no-holds-barred bawdiness of the popular theater circuit, it is opening its doors to thoughtful productions and offering central L.A. theatergoers something they sorely lack: a top-notch venue.

Theater manager and artistic director Marvin Wright-Bey says the center, which sits directly opposite the West Angeles Church of God in Christ at 3020 Crenshaw Blvd., is rare because it is a place where the spiritual and secular not only meet, but agree. “Black people are hungry for good theater,” he said. “Everyone’s tired of the stereotypical stuff, the cliches. They want good stories with human values.”

The “stereotypical stuff” Wright-Bey refers to are the shows that have become mainstays of black theater: gospel musicals such as “Mama, I’m Sorry” that emphasize urban strife, and sitcom-style plays such as “Beauty Shop” that exaggerate stock black characters to Amos ‘n’ Andy proportions.

Since debuting last November, the arts center has offered such alternatives as “One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show,” film director’s Robert Townsend’s stage version of “The Five Heartbeats,” and “Sing Me One More Song,” a play with music that followed one woman’s struggle with romantic love and redemption. While the play, written by actress and West Angeles member Chip Fields, has clear religious overtones, Wright-Bey stressed that the center is not looking to “preach over the footlights.”

“There are two things we want to offer: entertainment that shows value for human life, and entertainment that uplifts the community,” said Wright-Bey, also an actor and West Angeles member. “Sure, we have a criteria list for outside plays--no profanity, high literary content--but things don’t necessarily have to be Christian. If it gets too heavy-handed, people don’t want it.”

Formerly the Kokusai Japanese-language theater and Nick Stewart’s Ebony Showcase theater, the 475-seat arts center was acquired by West Angeles in 1985. Wright-Bey performed in its first production, “Sweet Lemon,” in 1988. Since Wright-Bey came on as a full-time manager last year, the arts center has featured a regular Christian comedy night in addition to occasional productions. Though the bulk of shows now are brought in by outside producers, Wright-Bey said the church’s fine arts department is working on mounting more in-house shows and putting together a full season.

While West Angeles is in the midst of expanding on Crenshaw, Wright-Bey is busy implementing ways to raise funds for the nonprofit theater for new carpeting, chandeliers, drapes and a sound system. He is running a theater membership drive, which offers patrons membership for $52 a year and includes such perks as free theater parking, complimentary tickets to selected performances during the 1995-96 season, VIP passes to premiere receptions, and discounts on books, tapes and other products available at the West Angeles bookstore. While some regular theater patrons have been among West Angeles’ 13,000-member congregation, Wright-Bey said he is looking far beyond the church’s confines for support.

“We want this to be a true community theater, with the involvement of the community at large,” he said. “That means not just Crenshaw, but Southern California. We want to be able to welcome in filmmakers who don’t have a place to screen their film shorts, playwrights who have good works but don’t think they have a market for it. We want this to be the most viable theater in central L.A.”