Review: Horse Power: Tom Bass’ American Story at The Coterie
This weekend, I was able to attend the opening night performance of Horse Power: Tom Bass’ American Story, along with my daughter and friends.
This show is truly special as it is a Coterie World Premiere in co-production with the American Royal featuring puppets by What If Puppets, telling a story with Kansas City connections. Horse Power is produced as part of the American Royal’s 125th Anniversary. The play, written by Michelle Tyrene Johnson, tells a story of both historic and local importance. Johnson wrote The Coterie's previous production, Only One Day a Year, also grappling with a historic Kansas City perspective on race. The horses in this production, are beautifully crafted by local puppeteers and artisans from the What If Puppets team.
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Horse Power tells the story of Tom Bass, a Missourian born in slavery. L. Roi Hawkins, a familiar actor on local stages, portrays Bass as a wise, compassionate, and passionate man who loved horses, loved his wife (played by Paulette Dawn) and son (played by Terrace Wyatt, Jr.), and worked hard to be the best he could be. Bass became world famous as the greatest horseman and horse trainer of his time. Likely learning what "not to do" from his mother's stories of slavery, he came to learn to teach through compassion, creating his own technique of horse training and inventing the Bass bit which enabled horse trainers to use gentle corrections to train the finest horses. Throughout his life he was invited by royalty to present his horses, he won countless awards, and was internationally recognized as a horse whisperer. His Kansas City connection comes through his passion for horses and his involvement in starting the American Royal’s first horse show in order to raise funds for the fire department.
The story weaves in many local connections, making it especially engaging for Kansas City audiences. However, this is a story not just for KC, but for everyone because it celebrates the achievements of a truly great man, who happened to be black. Bass fought for equality in gentle ways as he earned the respect of his peers for his professional achievements as a horseman, but also demanded their respect and fair treatment. Through his work with horses, he learned character, strength, and understanding and he earned the respect and admiration of the world.
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Tom's story is contrasted with a contemporary account that, while fictional, portrays what many black teens experience today. Natalia (“Nate”) Edmonds, portrayed beautifully by Amari Lewis, loves horses and is gifted one, named Miss Rex (the name of one of Bass' beloved horses), boarded at a local stable. While there, she encounters modern day racism. Her trainer, portrayed by Ann Pittman Zárate, encourages Nate both as a gifted rider, but also as an advocate.
The show asks the audience to ponder what they value and what they see in another human being, and challenges us all to look for the best in everyone.
We loved learning about Tom Bass through this production and his importance, not only to Kansas City, but to the horse world. His example of training through love, both as it relates to his work as a horseman, and as it relates to the topic of racism is so poignant and powerful, and we left wanting to learn more about his life.
FAQ:
- On Stage September 11 - October 6, 2024
- Targeted to Grades 5-12
- Running time: Approx. 60 mins.
- Get Tickets
Special Performances
Throughout the run of the show, there are several special performances:
- Opening Night: September 13: 6:00 p.m.: Free pre-show events featuring special equine-themed activations and a panel discussion with American Royal stakeholders, 7:00 p.m.: Horse Power world premiere performance
- Black Affinity Performance: September 22 at 2pm for those in the Black community, especially those who have a love of horses and Kansas City history, featuring a free, short talk-back immediately following the performance
- American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreted Performance: September 28 at 2 pm
- Audio Described Performances October 4 at 9:45 am and October 5 at 2 pm with verbal commentary to assist patrons who are visually impaired
- Sensory Friendly Performances October 4 at 9:45 am and October 5 at 2 pm for neurodiverse audiences featuring technical adjustments, sensory supports, house lights on and flexible audience expectations
J Robert Schraeder