The Baldwin/Giovanni Experience

I seldom begin a review by sharing how thoroughly I enjoyed a play, but "The Baldwin/Giovanni Experience" by Tim Rhoze and Bria Walker-Rhoze is a four-star performance so captivating that it demands such enthusiasm —and it is a Must-See. Held at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre in Evanston, IL, the play features the iconic meeting between James Baldwin and Nikki Giovanni. The original two-part conversation, recorded in 1971, was an episode of a groundbreaking public television program called "SOUL!"James Baldwin was already a literary legend, and Nikki Giovanni was a prominent figure in the Black Arts Movement. During the conversation, Baldwin and Giovanni discussed topics ranging from Black life in America, White racism, prejudices and fears, racial equity and justice, the role of the black men and women, the need to be a stronger black men that doesn't fight against that support of the black women, the roles of the writer and actvitist, the responsibilty to teach truth and the evoling gendor roles in America.  

Baldwin didn't start his life as a literary legend in America. Although he had white friends, supporters, and readers, and always acknowledged prominent white figures in his life who helped form the man he was, whites viewed him as anti-American. His early writing, including novels like "Go Tell It on the Mountain" and his essay collection "Notes of a Native Son," earned him high praise from liberal whites, who admired and supported his calls for racial justice. However, the release of his book titled The Fire Next Time, using scripture from the times of Noah, serves as a warning to America to confront racist history and change its bigotry, or the next time there will be fire, not water. It received polarizing reviews, ranging from acclaim to hostile and defensive. Baldwin was disliked by most whites, who thought his critiques of American racism, white lies, imperfect identity, deceptive innocence, supremacy, and their ideology were signs that Baldwin hated Americans. At the same time, he felt they needed to add more love, and they were fragile and flawed. He was often met with hostility, and whites categorically dismissed his views.

In contrast, Baldwin's relationship with the black communities was one of admiration and a voice for the black people. Still, his intellectual, provocative views and his criticism of black communities' lack of unity and the fight for freedom meant that not all Black leaders, like Malcolm X, or Black Nationalism groups, universally embraced him. He faced rejection from the Black community for his openly gay lifestyle and his works, such as Giovanni's Room, which has no relationship or reference to Nikki Giovanni.

Author of more than 30 books, including poetry anthologies, nonfiction essays, and children's literature, Yolande Cornelia Giovanni Jr., known as Nikki Giovanni, is a celebrated American poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. In the late 1960s, she was considered one of the foremost and most prolific authors of the Black Arts Movement. Her early work, such as her debut collection Black Feeling, Black Talk (1968), was intensely political and revolutionary, affirming the Black experience. A committed activist, she used her poetry and public platform to advocate for Civil Rights and Black Power, social issues, gender equality, and voting rights. The white liberal literary world embraced Giovanni as an essential voice for the black experience through her works, which dealt with black people and families, social injustice, and gender. She had a strong militant perspective, which some categorize as Black poetry of hate. She argued that white critics couldn't understand or appreciate her poetry and that they should just try to understand it. Like Baldwin, Giovanni was a voice ahead of their time that we should appreciate their fight for justice today.  

Fleetwood-Jourdain's The Baldwin/Giovanni Experience is a remarkable depiction of these celebrated legends. With impressive depth and engaging dialogue, Sean Blake and Rachel Blakes, as Baldwin and Giovanni, deliver a powerful performance for those who appreciate compelling storytelling and thought-provoking conversations. I may be somewhat biased, as I am a potential junkie who watches political news and events daily. This play was right up my alley, and I knew with Sean Blake playing James Baldwin, this play would be a must-see, and I wasn't disappointed. I was thoroughly amazed by Rachel Blakes performance as a young Nikki Giovanni. I was absolutely captivated by Rachel's portrayal. Her performance brought the legendary poet's personality to life, and her engaging presence as Giovanni, a powerful, unapologetically outspoken black woman, felt natural and effortless.

The simple staging, dimly lit at times, created an atmosphere that compelled the audience to listen. And to be truly innocent, this play will agitate some of the white audiences, who are or have become sensitive to the conversations of how blacks viewed America, and insensitive to understanding the meaning of discussing race, justice, and identity. Baldwin, in a profound philosophical and political sense, repeatedly uses the words' love' and 'need for love'. Still, many will find it hard to grasp the true meaning, finding it hard to bypass its perceived views against whites. The energy on stage between Baldwin and Giovanni during their 1971 conversation was truly electric, giving Black communities a sense of pride. On our radio show, Let's Stay Together Talk Show, we played a portion of James Baldwin and Nikki Giovanni's conversation, which I poetically call "The Lie To Me" segment. There is a desire to remove historical books and collections that dealt with what some called controversial subject matters, but we need these kinds of stories to remind us of the past and help us with our future. I recommend a trip to Evanston to see this educational production. You will not be disappointed.

Click the video to see the original Baldwin/Giovanni discussion.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Noyes Cultural Arts Center

Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre

THE BALDWIN | GIOVANNI EXPERIENCE

By Tim Rhoze & Bria Walker-Rhoze

Directed by Tim Rhoze

November 1-16, 2025

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