Theatre UCF, in collaboration with the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community, will present Spunk and the Harlem Literati, an adaptation of the play Spunk by Zora Neale Hurston, beginning Jan. 21. This production is part of the 27th annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities (ZORA! Festival 2016). The play will run through Jan. 21-31 on the UCF campus.

The adaptation was written by UCF Theatre professor Be Boyd. Hurston’s play Spunk itself is an adaptation of a short story of the same name that she wrote for The New Negro during the “Harlem Renaissance” of the 1920s. The short story depicts a love triangle between Jim, his wife Evalina, and Spunk Banks, “a giant of a brown-skinned man” in the back country of early 20th century Florida.

Boyd enveloped Hurston’s original words into a larger story of a fictitious meeting between the Harlem Literati, wherein the writers are deciding which literary works will be included in their literary magazine Fire!! As the discussion ensues, Zora’s storytelling of Spunk becomes the highlight of the evening, and the story springs to life for the theatre patrons.

“As a playwright, I wanted to celebrate the magnificent storytelling of Zora Neale Hurston,” said Boyd. “I also wanted to honor the other major influences of the movement who were in Zora’s company, many of whom were her friends: Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Wallace Thurman, Helene Johnson, Gwendolyn Bennett, and Richard Nugent. These voices shaped my experience as an African-American artist and gave me the courage to explore my heritage from all perspectives.”

Maurice Mallard, a first-year musical-theatre student, plays the title role of Spunk. “Spunk is a spectacular play that tells an amazing story of love and determination. It highlights the importance of unity in the community as well as social issues facing African-Americans, such as the over-appreciation of fairer skinned African Americans and the thought that money is worth more than the life of a black man. In the show we also see the community together all the time and engaging with each other. Now most people don’t even know their next door neighbor, but in this town the community is like a family.”

Acting student Amanda Tavarez plays the role of Evalina. “It has been such a fun experience getting to work on a piece that was also adapted by our director Be Boyd, and getting to bring to life these characters as both she and Zora envisioned them. It was challenging going on this journey with my character, Evalina, trying to find her voice, her freedom, and especially her happiness.”

This production contains gunshots, consumption of alcohol, and mature themes. If it were a movie, it would be rated PG-13. The community is invited to an opening-night reception in the lobby immediately following the performance on Jan. 21. Stay after the performance on Thursday, Jan. 28 for a post-show discussion with Boyd and UCF Big Read organizer Keri Watson. UCF’s Big Read of Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God kicks off Jan. 14 at the UCF Art Gallery.

For more information and to reserve free tickets, go to http://www.theatre.ucf.edu or call 407-823-1500

Production at a glance:

Spunk and the Harlem Literati

An adaptation by Be Boyd, based on the play Spunk by Zora Neale Hurston
Directed by Be Boyd

Jan. 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 at 8 p.m.

Jan. 24, 31 at 2 p.m .

A collaboration with the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community, presenter of the ZORA! Festival 2016 program

$20 standard, $10 with UCF ID

Main Stage, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando

407-823-1500