This play packed a big punch. It was intense. In fact, intensity permeates on every level, from the acting to the staging, from the eloquent saunterings, pauses, and guestures to the fancy costumes (and shoes!). It was a very classy, crispy clean production.
The simplicity of the set design and clever meddley of lighting all created an atmosphere very in keeping with the late 60's. It was "romantically nostalgic," to say the least. The actors' level of energy was constant and dynamic. Everyone did an excellent job on the stage.
Unfortunately I didn't quite understand the playwright's overall premise with this property.
Obviously the director, Ward Nixon, has been careful in focusing the attention on the "unfolding" and steady progression of that "unfolding" (of the plot). But this is exactly the problem: That "unfolding" was not very definitive. Yes, there is subtext, mystery, that which is "unspoken" and "unseen," and has been very well conveyed by Mr. Nixon.
Act one begins with much vabrado, the audience is very engaged, but by act two, the momentum begins to downtrend-however slightly, thou. It is immediately "picked up" by mid act two by actors Albert Eggleston (playing the character of Samuel X, Muhammad's bodyguard and personal secretary), and Ivan Goris (playing the character of Washington X, chief Editor Muhammad Speaks, NOI's News Org.)
Of course, veteran actress (and one of my personal favorites) Valarie Tekosky just "scorches" us with her brilliance; always being true and seeking truth in everyone of her characters. I've never seen an actress work so hard has she does-and I'm never disappointed. and neither is her "following"
I have received alot of criticism for always writing positive reviews for the GERTRUDE JEANNETTE & THE H.A.D.L.E.Y PLAYERS Ensemble. But I pay no such attention to "haters"
To me, if your good, YOUR GOOD!!! Period. And a great production doesn't just "happen"
It takes alot of talent and discrimination in putting together a production-and the right CASTING is critial.
The casting of Ralph McCain as Elijah Muhammad was, well, what can I say-GENIUS! I can't depict a better, more eloquent, handsome, tall, and sophisticated actor, than this man. And he delivered the goods!
How could I not write a good review-ALL OF THE TIME, for this company?
But back to this "unfolding" of the plot: there was alot going on here, but I wasn't getting the main premise.
The "piecing together" of motives, for instance: the F.B.I. tapping the phones, the stealing of the notepad, the heavy security outside the edifice, the cold adverse weather outside, the prelude of the "dancing figure" and leaving the radio on-deliberately (or so it seemed), and even the white man being the devil with the sinister agenda to eradicate all endogenous people of color from the planet-all conspiring to bring Elijah Muhammad down is all well and good (and was very real in that time in our history). But I would have loved to have seen a more homogonization of these "elements" into a concentric focus of events leading to a "climatic action" (that would have been in keeping with history). More historical facts "weaved into" this "unfolding" would have been far more compelling-and educational for younger audiences who are unfamiliar with the "specifics of history", concerning Elijah Muhammad.
Why were his phones "tapped"? Why was his life in danger? These elements, no matter how familiar we are in our history of this great figure, still has to be explained or delineated (through dramatic action). Because only through the YOUNG, can we honor and REMEBER our great men and women in history. If the "specifics" are not explained, memory fades...
The moral character and integrity of Elijah Mohammad and its "clash" with the conventional wisdom of a changing society which includes equality-for both men and women (White or Black), the mixing of the races, and even opposing views and philosophy from within the Black Culture itself, seems to be what the playwright wants us to focus on. If that is the case, then this production accomplishes that. The complexity and "inner workings"of a great man. And that's interesting, as well as compelling.
Great Job, I give it two and half stars!
The simplicity of the set design and clever meddley of lighting all created an atmosphere very in keeping with the late 60's. It was "romantically nostalgic," to say the least. The actors' level of energy was constant and dynamic. Everyone did an excellent job on the stage.
Unfortunately I didn't quite understand the playwright's overall premise with this property.
Obviously the director, Ward Nixon, has been careful in focusing the attention on the "unfolding" and steady progression of that "unfolding" (of the plot). But this is exactly the problem: That "unfolding" was not very definitive. Yes, there is subtext, mystery, that which is "unspoken" and "unseen," and has been very well conveyed by Mr. Nixon.
Act one begins with much vabrado, the audience is very engaged, but by act two, the momentum begins to downtrend-however slightly, thou. It is immediately "picked up" by mid act two by actors Albert Eggleston (playing the character of Samuel X, Muhammad's bodyguard and personal secretary), and Ivan Goris (playing the character of Washington X, chief Editor Muhammad Speaks, NOI's News Org.)
Of course, veteran actress (and one of my personal favorites) Valarie Tekosky just "scorches" us with her brilliance; always being true and seeking truth in everyone of her characters. I've never seen an actress work so hard has she does-and I'm never disappointed. and neither is her "following"
I have received alot of criticism for always writing positive reviews for the GERTRUDE JEANNETTE & THE H.A.D.L.E.Y PLAYERS Ensemble. But I pay no such attention to "haters"
To me, if your good, YOUR GOOD!!! Period. And a great production doesn't just "happen"
It takes alot of talent and discrimination in putting together a production-and the right CASTING is critial.
The casting of Ralph McCain as Elijah Muhammad was, well, what can I say-GENIUS! I can't depict a better, more eloquent, handsome, tall, and sophisticated actor, than this man. And he delivered the goods!
How could I not write a good review-ALL OF THE TIME, for this company?
But back to this "unfolding" of the plot: there was alot going on here, but I wasn't getting the main premise.
The "piecing together" of motives, for instance: the F.B.I. tapping the phones, the stealing of the notepad, the heavy security outside the edifice, the cold adverse weather outside, the prelude of the "dancing figure" and leaving the radio on-deliberately (or so it seemed), and even the white man being the devil with the sinister agenda to eradicate all endogenous people of color from the planet-all conspiring to bring Elijah Muhammad down is all well and good (and was very real in that time in our history). But I would have loved to have seen a more homogonization of these "elements" into a concentric focus of events leading to a "climatic action" (that would have been in keeping with history). More historical facts "weaved into" this "unfolding" would have been far more compelling-and educational for younger audiences who are unfamiliar with the "specifics of history", concerning Elijah Muhammad.
Why were his phones "tapped"? Why was his life in danger? These elements, no matter how familiar we are in our history of this great figure, still has to be explained or delineated (through dramatic action). Because only through the YOUNG, can we honor and REMEBER our great men and women in history. If the "specifics" are not explained, memory fades...
The moral character and integrity of Elijah Mohammad and its "clash" with the conventional wisdom of a changing society which includes equality-for both men and women (White or Black), the mixing of the races, and even opposing views and philosophy from within the Black Culture itself, seems to be what the playwright wants us to focus on. If that is the case, then this production accomplishes that. The complexity and "inner workings"of a great man. And that's interesting, as well as compelling.
Great Job, I give it two and half stars!
No comments:
Post a Comment