Beartrice Albans (a resolute and Machiavellian Lynda Gravátt) spent her life under the oppressive laws that governed people of color in the colony of Louisiana. Specifically, she was Lazare’s placée a status that allows her as a woman of color to set up common law households with a white man to circumvent legal prohibitions. Beartrice’s mother signed the papers that…
In an October 17, 2015 “New York Post” article, Michael Goodwin raises the rich, albeit uncomfortable, proposition of James Piereson in his July 2015 book “Shattered Consensus: The Rise and Decline of America’s Postwar Political Order;” namely, “America is due for a revolution.” In the “Post” article, Mr. Goodwin summarizes Mr. Pierson’s argument thusly: “there is an inevitable “revolution” coming…
“It won’t stay this – go back to Richard, make amends, sort your life out – but things will get better, easier, with time, people such as yourself ‘n your family start integrating more.” – David to Azeem What does it mean to be an ordinary Muslim? What does it mean to be an ordinary Christian? What does it mean…
With their recent collaboration with Sarah Gancher and Anne Kauffman, Abigail and Shaun Bengson (“The Bengsons”) have redefined the meaning of the theatrical convention of the musical. Without elaborate sets, costumes, large ensembles of singers and dancers, and multi-million-dollar budgets, The Bengsons have successfully mounted a stunning musical with a believable story and a brilliantly executed score. “Hundred Days,” currently…
Playwright Mfoniso Udofia’s “Sojourners” and “Her Portmanteau,” currently running in repertory at New York Theatre Workshop, are exquisitely crafted and skillfully performed explorations into the life of determined matriarch Abasiama Ekpeyoung-Ufot (the younger played by Chinasa Ogbuagu and the older by Jenny Jules), her two husbands Ukpong Ekpeyoung (played with a willful distraction by Hubert Point-Du-Jour) and Disciple Ufot (played…
“Do you have what you need? Do you need what you have?” – Geoff Sobelle The audience enters the New York Theatre Workshop into a vast display of “stuff” up for viewing, exploring, opening, sharing, moving around, and engaging with. And there is plenty to explore: lamps of all sizes and shapes; small boats filled with boxes suspended from the…
“Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on” – Iago in Shakespeare’s “Othello,” Act III, Scene 3 Whatever reasons that might be attributed to reimagining Shakespeare’s “Othello” – whether to create interest, heighten symbolism, or foster accessibility – what will always remain, front and center, is the tragic hero who…
“Yes, and this country will either cease its injustice or it will slowly fall to ruin. Leave it while you can.” – Nat Turner The encounter between Nat Turner (played with a powerful morally ambiguous core by Phillip James Brannon), Thomas R. Gray (played with a palpable malicious intent by Rowan Vickers), and the Guard (also played by Mr. Vickers)…
With some surprise – and a modicum of disbelief – I overheard the two Millennials settling in behind me at the performance of “Hadestown” I attended at the New York Theatre Workshop sharing that they “had no idea” what the show they were there to see was about. Is it possible to reach ones 20s and 30s and not know…
“You did the only thing you could,/and the only thing you should./When you go for what you want, when you think about yourself,/when you do what’s best for you,/everyone benefits” – Peter to Ray On the eve before the qualifying trial for the Olympics, Ray (Alex Breaux) stands by the pool at his club listening to his brother Peter (Lucas…