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Bernard, the protagonist in noted playwright and screenwriter Richard Wesley’s play The Talented Tenth, is facing a severe midlife crisis. He’s coping with changes on his job and has a mistress who’s demanding more of his time. Most importantly, Bernard is beginning to wonder how much he has “sold out” for the trappings of success — he’s questioning his reasons for marriage and friendships and rethinking his idea of “success.”

Named for W.E.B. DuBois’ controversial concept of community upliftment being based on a talented few, The Talented Tenth is performed by Congo Square Theatre Company and is currently running through April 20 at the Chicago Center for Performing Arts.

Salient and strong, the 30-year-old play continues to resonate with contemporary audiences. “One of the things that was important to me in 1979 and 1989 (when the play was produced) in talking about the play, was a discussion of African Americans understanding as a people that we’re engaged in an ongoing struggle to elevate the community, to protect our gains and pass them along to the next generation. Each preceding generation is responsible to the succeeding generation,” Wesley says.

Wesley compares the message of the play to the current presidential election, where many believe an African American male become president.

“In many ways, Barack Obama’s success is a reminder of what the struggle is about,” he says. “His success forces us as a community to go back and re-examine where we are, what we’re doing as a people, and what we need to do to enhance that success.” -tony binns

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