Springfield Contemporary opens 'Pass Over' Friday as new resident of Historic Fox Theatre

Greta Cross, Springfield News-Leader
·3 min read

Springfield Contemporary Theatre is closing out its season with a powerful, provocative production in its new resident venue this weekend.

"Pass Over" opens on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Fox Theatre downtown. The show runs July 21-23, July 27-30 and Aug. 3-6 with evening shows at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday shows at 2 p.m.

An absurd drama, "Pass Over" tells the story of young Black men Moses and Kitch trying to get off the block they are perpetually stuck on to pass over into a better life. Moses serves as the older, grounded figure, while Kitch is the young, more easily excitable personality.

"The only problem is, whenever boys start trying to get off the block, it's just a matter of time before they run into Ossifer, who is this police officer who patrols the area and kills Black men who are trying to get up off the block," Director Jon Herbet said.

Scenes from Springfield Contemporary Theatre's dress rehearsal of "Pass Over" at the Historic Fox Theatre on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. "Pass Over" runs July 21-23, 27-30 and Aug. 3-6, 2023.
Scenes from Springfield Contemporary Theatre's dress rehearsal of "Pass Over" at the Historic Fox Theatre on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. "Pass Over" runs July 21-23, 27-30 and Aug. 3-6, 2023.

Playwright Antoinette Nwandu was inspired by Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot" and "Book of Exodus," the second book of the Bible, when writing her own allegorical production.

"Pass Over" is a three-man cast and two of the local actors are making their professional theatre debut. Czyz Bledsoe, who plays Kitch, and Jonathan Newman, who plays Mister and Ossifer, are excited to get on the big stage for the first time. Mikil Hernandez, who plays Moses, is looking forward to returning. He's worked with Springfield Contemporary Theatre for several years, most recently starring in "The Color Purple" with the Mosaic Arts Collective.

For Herbet, "Pass Over" is the second show he has directed with Springfield Contemporary Theatre. He has also directed shows for Springfield Little Theatre's Studio Theatre, acted in several local productions and is a theatre and drama instructor at Ozarks Technical Community College.

Jonathan Newman as Ossifer prepares to point a prop gun at Mikil Hernandez as Moses during Springfield Contemporary Theatre's dress rehearsal of "Pass Over" at the Historic Fox Theatre on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. "Pass Over" runs July 21-23, 27-30 and Aug. 3-6, 2023.
Jonathan Newman as Ossifer prepares to point a prop gun at Mikil Hernandez as Moses during Springfield Contemporary Theatre's dress rehearsal of "Pass Over" at the Historic Fox Theatre on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. "Pass Over" runs July 21-23, 27-30 and Aug. 3-6, 2023.

Herbet recommended audience members prepare for an "emotional rollercoaster" before coming to see "Pass Over," which he described as a "simple story about something very complex."

"Don't come in expecting it to be something light," Hernandez added. "This is heavier because it's hitting real topics. There are Black people out there getting killed on the streets because of police brutality. You have to bring attention to this stuff or else people are never going to learn."

Mikil Hernandez as Moses during Springfield Contemporary Theatre's dress rehearsal of "Pass Over" at the Historic Fox Theatre on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. "Pass Over" runs July 21-23, 27-30 and Aug. 3-6, 2023.
Mikil Hernandez as Moses during Springfield Contemporary Theatre's dress rehearsal of "Pass Over" at the Historic Fox Theatre on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. "Pass Over" runs July 21-23, 27-30 and Aug. 3-6, 2023.

"Pass Over" runs for 75 minutes with no intermission. A post-show discussion with the cast and crew will be held after the shows on Sunday, July 23 and Thursday, July 27.

"I would hate to follow us," Bledsoe said with a laugh about the production.

Tickets are available on the Springfield Contemporary Theatre website at springfieldcontemporarytheatre.org/pass-over.html. Tickets are $32 for adults, $29 for seniors and students, $27 on opening night and $10 for student rush.

Jonathan Newman as Ossifer during Springfield Contemporary Theatre's dress rehearsal of "Pass Over" at the Historic Fox Theatre on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. "Pass Over" runs July 21-23, 27-30 and Aug. 3-6, 2023.
Jonathan Newman as Ossifer during Springfield Contemporary Theatre's dress rehearsal of "Pass Over" at the Historic Fox Theatre on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. "Pass Over" runs July 21-23, 27-30 and Aug. 3-6, 2023.

"Pass Over" is Springfield Contemporary Theatre's third production at the Historic Fox Theatre this year. The theatre company is now the resident of the downtown venue.

Springfield Contemporary Theatre opens its 2023-2024 season in September with "Big Fish" Sept. 8-24. The remainder of the season features:

  • "Considering Matthew Shepard" from Oct. 12-13

  • "Fairview" from Oct. 20-Nov. 5

  • "Ken Ludwig's Treasure Island" from Dec. 1-17

  • "Rock of Ages" from Feb. 2-18

  • "Fences" from March 15-31

  • "The Other Place" from April 26-May 12

  • "Parade" from June 14-30

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield Contemporary Theatre opens 'Pass Over' this weekend