A LESSON BEFORE DYING

Jefferson, a young black man is unjustly accused of murdering a white man in a small Louisiana town in the 1940’s. Grant Wiggins, the local black teacher, is convinced by Jefferson’s aunt to share his learning and humanity with Jefferson before the death sentence is carried out. Jay Long gives a firm, though not brilliant reading of the powerful tale, thanks to his rendering of Southern voices, rich and poor, male and female, black and white. This skill gives the dialogue a liveliness and passion that is missing from the surprisingly flat and uninflected narrative. The production is well-done and extremely compelling. R.B.F. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG 94]