This forceful new play
takes place in Lynchburg, Virginia, ‘Right-right now’ and shocking daily news stories
seem to be incorporated into the dialogue. Angered by omnipresent headlines, where
unarmed black men are killed by cops, a 14 year old black youth (Omete Anassi)
determines to go into battle.
His hard working mother (Yvonne Huff Lee) fights
to keep her son out of danger, while his grandfather (Christopher Carrington),
who in his youth lived through times of terror, gently mocks this growing
passion even as he tries to assuage it.
With great insight, playwright
Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm shows us that we live in a
complicated world and only chaos and sorrow ensue when racial lines are drawn. A
friendly police officer (Shawn Law), whose kind heart is covered by his
intimidating uniform, brings perspective to an easy stereotype.
In violent
video games, played with a distant stranger/friend (Emmaline Jacott), the enemies are obvious - a terrifying armed big guy (Dane Oliver), and half-clad gal
(Jasmine Wright) - but in life it’s not so simple.
Chisholm suggests that as
long as each character recognizes their shared humanity all will be well. Then
he shows that when we objectify people our human bond is broken. Twice, in this
haunting play, I wept.
The superb cast are directed
with brilliant intensity by Lower Depth Theatre Ensemble’s Gregg T.
Daniel. Plaudits to David Mauer (set), Wendell C. Carmichael (Costumes) and
Doug Oliphant for awesome choreography. Produced by Racquel Lehrman of Theatre
Planners.
The Zephyr Theatre, 7456
Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, through Oct 29. Reservations: 323-960-7787 or
www.lower-depth.com/on-stage. Street parking.
Photos by Ed Krieger.
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