"The Lion Tells His Tale" ensemble performs a scene during a preview of the play on April 30, 2024, at the Broadway Performance Hall. (Photo: Susan Fried)

PHOTO ESSAY | Intiman Theatre's 'The Lion Tells His Tale' Explores Unspoken African American History

The Intiman Theatre's production of The Lion Tells His Tale, written by Vida Oliphant Sneed and directed by Steve Sneed, began as an exploration of how the museum and Mr. Delbert Richardson's journey to the life of a storyteller could be brought to life on stage. Longtime friends Vida, Steve, and Delbert met over Zoom during the height of the COVID pandemic and came up with a framework to turn Mr. Richardson's love of history and the importance of telling America's untold story into a play.

Published on:

May 02, 2024, 7:09 pm

by Susan Fried

There is an old African proverb that says, "Until the lion tells his tale, the hunt will always glorify the hunter." Mr. Delbert Richardson's award-winning American History Traveling Museum "The Unspoken Truths" presents history from the African American perspective by showing the rich history of Africans and African Americans and revealing historical facts and knowledge about the accomplishments of Black people throughout history that are left out of the majority of history books.

The Intiman Theatre's production of The Lion Tells His Tale, written by Vida Oliphant Sneed and directed by Steve Sneed, began as an exploration of how the museum and Mr. Richardson's journey to the life of a storyteller could be brought to life on stage. Longtime friends Vida, Steve, and Delbert met over Zoom during the height of the COVID pandemic and came up with a framework to turn Mr. Richardson's love of history and the importance of telling America's untold story into a play.

The result is a history lesson filled with amazing stories, music, and dancing.

The show runs May 1—5 at the Intiman Theatre's Broadway Performance Hall on the campus of Seattle Central College. Evening performances at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 2; Friday, May 3; and Saturday, May 4, have the best availability. Matinees on Saturday and Sunday have limited availability. Intiman also offers "Free for Everyone" tickets, where Intiman distributes 20 free tickets before every show — even if it is sold out online — starting one hour before curtain on a first come, first served basis. Learn more about "Free for Everyone" tickets on Intiman Theatre's website.

An older Black man dressed in a vibrant yellow and orange kente cloth shirt speaks animatedly on stage, standing in front of a wooden set resembling a warehouse, accessorized with large bead necklaces.

Mr. Delbert Richardson, creator of the award-winning American History Traveling Museum 'The Unspoken Truths,' talks about the unspoken truths in American history during a preview performance of 'The Lion Tells His Tale' on April 30, 2024, at the Broadway Performance Hall. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A Black woman in a green dress and another in a yellow dress with a red head wrap smile warmly as the latter holds a baby, both standing on a stage with industrial shelving in the background.

Actors Tracy Michelle Hughes and Hazel Rose Gibson perform in a scene from Intiman Theatre's production of 'The Lion Tells His Tale' on April 30, 2024, at the Broadway Performance Hall. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A Black man in a denim jacket and flat cap stands behind a young boy in a yellow hoodie seated on a stool, both on a theatrical set with a wooden ramp and crates, conveying a serious mood.

Actors Erwin E. A. Thomas and Deejay Brown perform in a scene from Intiman Theatre's production of 'The Lion Tells His Tale' on April 30, 2024, at the Broadway Performance Hall. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Three Black men on stage in a theatrical performance, wearing kufis and scarves in Pan-African colors, energetically express a dance or action scene in a setting with wooden crates and warehouse backdrop.

Actors Seyvon West, Antonio Mitchell, and Erwin E. A. Thomas dance in a scene from Intiman Theatre's production of 'The Lion Tells His Tale' on April 30, 2024, at the Broadway Performance Hall. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A Black man in a detailed black and gold African garment and matching kufi cap crouches slightly, reaching towards the audience with a focused expression, on a stage set with wooden crates and a colorful warehouse backdrop.

Actor Seyvon West performs as part of the ensemble during a preview of 'The Lion Tells His Tale' on April 30, 2024, at the Broadway Performance Hall. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A Black woman in a majestic white and gold Egyptian costume, complete with a large headdress, speaks expressively on stage, surrounded by rustic wooden crates.

Actor Tracy Michelle Hughes portrays Queen Hatshepsut in 'The Lion Tells His Tale'. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Two women and a man in white traditional African clothing perform a dynamic dance on a theater stage, leaping gracefully with expressive arm movements, set against a backdrop resembling an industrial warehouse.

Performers Hazel Rose Gibson, Kearia Keke Duncan, and Alvedo dance in a scene from 'The Lion Tells His Tale.' (Photo: Susan Fried)

A Black woman in a red dress performs on stage, singing into a microphone with an expressive face, framed by a colorful warehouse-like backdrop with a sign stating

Faith Bennett Russell sings in a scene from 'The Lion Tells His Tale.' (Photo: Susan Fried)

A Black woman in a turquoise and red patterned dress joyously performs on stage, surrounded by a lively group of performers in assorted colorful African outfits.

Tracy Michelle Hughes sings during the preview of the play 'The Lion Tells His Tale' on April 30,2024, at the Broadway Performance Hall. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Susan Fried is a 40-year veteran photographer. Her early career included weddings, portraits, and commercial work — plus, she's been The Skanner News' Seattle photographer for 25 years. Her images have appeared in the University of Washington's The Daily, The Seattle Globalist, Crosscut, and many more.She's been an Emerald contributor since 2015. Follow her on Instagram @fried.susan.

📸 Featured Image: "The Lion Tells His Tale" ensemble performs a scene during a preview of the play on April 30, 2024, at the Broadway Performance Hall. (Photo: Susan Fried)

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