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Podcasts Take Two
Learning to 'Fly': Ricardo Khan on the bravery and service of the Tuskegee Airmen
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Jan 29, 2016
Listen • 11:33
Learning to 'Fly': Ricardo Khan on the bravery and service of the Tuskegee Airmen
A conversation with the director of 'Fly,' a play that details why a group of black pilots were so effective at inspiring racial progress.
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L-R: Damian Thompson, Brooks Brantly, Ricardo Khan.
L-R: Damian Thompson, Brooks Brantly, Ricardo Khan.
(
Elias Feghali
)
(L-R) Brooks Brantly, Damian Thompson, Ricardo Khan (Photo courtesy of The Pasadena Playhouse
(L-R) Brooks Brantly, Damian Thompson, Ricardo Khan (Photo courtesy of The Pasadena Playhouse
(
Elias Feghali
)

A conversation with the director of 'Fly,' a play that details why a group of black pilots were so effective at inspiring racial progress.

In media, finance, politics, education...you name it, westill have a long way to go when it comes to diversity, but in the grand scheme of things, people of color have made great strides in the struggle against racism.

Case in point: The Tuskegee Airmen

For years, African Americans weren't allowed to pilot planes in the military.

But then, in 1940, under pressure from black activists, the press, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the US Army Air Corps decided to finally allow black men into its flight program.

A select group of pilots began training at a field in Alabama, and The Tuskegee Airmen wer born.

During World War II, these men flew more than 15,000 combat missions over Europe.

They earned 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 14 Bronze Stars and 8 Purple Hearts.

A new production opening at the Pasadena Playhouse seeks to honor their service.

It's called Fly. Take Two's Alex Cohen spoke with the show's director Ricardo Khan. He explained what exactly made the Tuskegee Airmen so special.



Those guys ... paved the way for so many things in history. Pre Civil Rights movement; Pre rosa parks and Emmet Till and the Kennedy's. These guys were out there. And they were not using their race or the racist laws of america to hold them back or be an excuse. They said, 'You know what, if we excel at this, we will make a difference in the world.' And that's what they did.

Fly will make its West Coast premier on January 26 and will play until February 21, Tuesday through Friday evenings at 8:00 p.m.

Weekends showings will be Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (except for February 7).

Prices: $25.00 to $77.00 plus premium seating at $125.00
Venue: The Pasadena Playhouse, 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena CA 91101

Tickets: Online sales and information: PasadenaPlayhouse.org Phone: 626-356-7529

In Person: On non-performance dates, the Box Office is open Tuesday – Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. On performance dates, the Box Office is open Tuesday – Saturday from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Sunday