he story of Madam CJ Walker is one of those “If she can do what she did, then I should be able to do anything I set my mind to do” stories.  It has the potential to inspire everyone regardless of gender or race. It’s a story worth telling, and what better way to tell it than through a polished entertaining theatrical presentation.  Madam C.J. Walker:  American’s First Black Female Millionaire, a one woman show written and performed by actress Jo Tanner, is being presented as part of Woodstock Fringe’s second season at the Byrdcliffe Theatre.  A final performance of this worthwhile theatre piece will be given at 2 p.m., Sunday August 29.

Madam C.J. Walker broke the mold for African American women at the turn of the 20^th Century, a time when there were few opportunities available to women in general. Walker’s unusual wealth was acquired through the sale of her patented hair products to Black Americans.  She traveled around the United States for twelve years, promoting her products, helping women set up their own Madam Walker salons, and challenging her Black sisters to take pride their appearance and in the themselves.  As a consequence, many of these women were empowered to improve their lives.

Tanner, an attractive and well-trained professional actress, held our attention and interest throughout the show Friday night, no mean feat for one person.  Beautifully coiffed and costumed in an elegant taupe and black period ensemble that included a large black hat with ostrich feathers, the actress addressed the audience in an easy, intimate manner as she revealed the details of walker’s extraordinary life.

orn to former slaves in 1867 in a one-room shack in Louisiana, Madam Walker married at 14 and was widowed at 20 when her first husband was beaten to death in a race riot.  Uneducated, a washerwomen by trade, she was determined to better herself and provide every opportunity for her daughter Laila.  Ironically, her relationships with her daughter and her second husband, C.J. Walker, suffered as a result of the zealous way in which she applied herself to building her business and acquiring her fortune.

The play takes place in 1917, during WWI, in Madam Walker’s 34 room mansion in Irvington-on-Hudson.  With a minimum of props, the elegance and period of the play are depicted. Walker is preparing for an extravagant dinner party and going over her guest list that includes all the well-known African Americans of her day There’s a lot of activity in the mansion—phones ringing, crystal being broken, people at the door.  Answering the door herself, Walker deals humorously with tradesmen who assume that she is the maid.

The information-packed one-hour show replete with historical slides was followed by an audience talk back that was surprisingly stimulating and informative. Everyone got involved, a credit to the writing, the performance and also to Tanner’s teaching abilities. One of the most interesting questions raised during the discussion had to do with Madam Walker’s relationship with her grown daughter.  Walker died by hypertension and kidney failure at age 51 and Laila, estranged from her mother, did not attend her funeral.  Did Madam Walker have to sacrifice her relationship with her daughter in order to help so many other women?  Tanner seemed to think that she did.

Tanner’s stated goal is to travel nationally and internationally to colleges and universities and other venues with her one-woman show.  Considering that Tanner is the first African American woman to earn a PhD in Theatre from City University of New York and was formerly head of the Black Theatre program at Queens College, it isn’t surprising that the primary thrust of her one-woman play is to educate us.  Since her play, Madam C.J. Walker is also entertaining and inspiring, it seems as though her goal will not only be realized, but that Madam Walker’s extraordinary presence will live on in generations to come.

Over the next ten days, The Woodstock Fringe will be presenting a total of nine theatrical and musical events at the Byrdcliffe Theater and St. Gregory’s Church.  Individual tickets are $20, students and seniors are $17.  Fringe passes are available (for all events) for $45.  To order tickets call 679-0167 or go online at www.woodstockfringe.org