With parts of Vinnette Carroll’s original script and director Harry Bryce’s experience with her staging of productions after Broadway’s, WBTT lays claim to an area premiere production true to Carroll’s conception of the drama and how it should be presented. Your Arms Too Short to Box with God is a serious, if a bit repetitive, yet exuberant creation of Jesus’s path from his Beatitudes Sermon and Palm Sunday to Crucifixion to Resurrection through acting, dance, and singing of gospel music. A standout in the company, Charles Lattimore Jr. as Jesus foretells “We’re Gonna Have a Good Time” that leads into the Sermon and Raleigh Mosely II’s proclaiming “There’s a Stranger in Town” to which the Company expands with “Do You Know Jesus/He’s a Wonder.” So detailed is this glorification that WBTT’s Broadway star Teresa Stanley wows with her hearty, slightly comic, “Just a Little Bit of Jesus Goes a Long Way.” After the company’s priests and elders introduce themselves, sending negative vibes, Cequita Monique strongly engages the troupe in pointing out “Something Is Wrong in Jerusalem.” Teresa Stanley adds to that and Lattimore’s Jesus sings he must leave. A long sequence of songs of danger, led by Phyllis Banks, follows. It leads to Donald Frison’s dancing and effective acting as Judas proceeding to his betrayal of Jesus and suicide with their repercussions. As a leader of The Women of the Company and a powerful Pilate’s Wife, Syreeta Banks performs well the title song. The wheels of the Passion turn fully as the crowd prefer to save Barrabas and condemn Jesus to beating, a crown of thorns, and death. Lattimore is a marvel as he sustains his position on a cross in the center of the arches of the palace through the sorrow of Mary (danced passionately by Chakara Rosa) and mob jeers. Cequita Monique personifies sorrow itself singing “See How They Done My Lord.” To Chakara Rosa’s powerful presentation of “The Veil of the Temple”, Lattimore’s Jesus proclaims “Can’t No Grave Hold My Body Down”—and proves it to all the gaping men. “Didn’t I Tell You?” has earnest Carvas Pickens engaging the company with song proclaiming long future life for believers and, in his way, Jesus. Teresa Stanley reaches a new height of vocal power and purpose singing “I Love You So Much Jesus” that leads Lattimore and the men into having “a Good Time.” The Company members bring all their vocal talents and vivacious dancing to a final “Your Arms Too Short to Box with God.” All of WBTT’s technical designers and crew make the scene, different shades of lighting, and variations of ordinary sound and music appropriate. WBTT is known for its glitzy and colorful costuming, but here the use of many more muted colors and gauze (excepting for Pilate’s wife) are quite refined and rightly so. Director Harry Bryce’s love for Vinnette Carroll’s work is evident throughout this presentation. He keeps the drama moving as he does the show’s musical aspects. He is aided by the musicians and their director. The result is certainly a show fittingly taking place during the Lenten season into Easter.
