A Review of Live Rich, Die Poor By Ann Perry Wallace
After being introduced to Zora Neale Hurston’s work by chance, Ann Perry Wallace found herself captivated by the relentless way in which Hurston pursued her passions. Wallace also took inspiration from the popular quote by Les Brown, “the graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid.” Subsequently, the concept of denying the grave your gift became the angle from which she approached the retelling of Hurston’s life. Throughout the narrative, Zora is plagued by the guilt of never accomplishing the dreams her mother had for her. She believes she failed to “Jump at the Sun” as her mother instructed her to. This internal conflict raises the question of how we choose to honor those who have made sacrifices on our behalf and furthermore what we owe to ourselves.
Live Rich, Die Poor opens with a scene where Alice Walker pleads with Zora at her unmarked grave. The inciting incident within the play occurs when Alice’s character invokes Zora’s return through a spell. With this decision Ann introduces elements of magical realism in her analysis of mortality. From there we take a journey through the pivotal moments of Zora’s life and writing accomplishments with the same fervor with which she lived them. The audience was transported from the grave to a Southern Baptist Church to the circus to Harlem and back to the grave again. This sequence highlights the importance of the journey itself because everyone's final destination is the same.
Having had the pleasure of meeting Ann prior to the show I can attest to the skill she displayed while donning character after character. The sheer range of her depictions was incredibly entertaining. She creatively deployed audio and visual elements to enhance her retelling. The lights above cast a blue hue over the set complementing the overall dreamlike mood of the play. Also, the use of multifunctional props at times seemed to represent the obstacles she faced and other times the vehicle which carried her forward. The show was packed with humor, movement and musical moments while also touching on the harsh realities of sexism, classism, and racial tension that Hurston would have experienced. As she peeled back the layers of the narrative, I was able to see the parallels between the lives of Zora’s characters and her own. In a dynamic display of artistry, Live Rich, Die Poor urges the audience to” empty themselves and leave no gifts unused” .The show was witty, approachable, and a wonderful introduction to Zora Neale Hurston.
Ann’s decision to tell this story as a solo show mirrors the journey involved in finding your purpose and emptying yourself. Although we may all be seeking the answer to the question of “why am I here” the answer is deeply personal. This wonderful play acts as a testimony to the hard work and creativity of not only Zora Neale Hurston but also Ann Perry Wallace. With an awareness of the decreasing opportunity for mature women of color in the acting world, Live Rich, Die Poor is Ann's way of carving out space for herself as a creative. Her vulnerability should be considered an inspiration and a call to action for artists in every stage of life. Live Rich, Die Poor is a work that has been twenty years in the making and right on time. I highly suggest grabbing a ticket while you still can!
