The Josiah Theatre Works Works, LLC celebrated its grand opening on Sunday, February 26th 2012 at the Ripley-Grier Studios, 520 8th Avenue on 34th Street.
This production was quite a "snapshot" into the past (50's and 60's). I have a "soft spot" for productions set in the 60's (probably because I was born in that decade). As a man of Color, and being raised in another country, my experiences of cultural and racial divides was little to none. I never understood the level of hatred and contempt that many minority groups faced in the 60's-permeating every fabric of cultural and daily life.
Societies that have been transformed through these experiences are the present "backbone" of today's generation.
But it wasn't always that way-and this play shows us a "glimpse" of that reality-not just here in the United States, but throughout the world.
"More, Then A Dream" is a roller coaster of intense scenes centering on powerful Black Women, and the "price" each woman had to pay to penetrate the veil of bigotry and abuse within the entertainment industry.
The playwright, Nicholas Long III, took the painful liberty of explaining to the audience how these racial and bigoted attitudes "poisoned" these characters, like a venom infecting an open wound along its course to the heart-thus killing the host.
Another interesting dynamic was the social roles expected of the Black Male, and how, via the Black Woman, was "usurped", "undermined", and "disrespected", adding to the dysfunctionality and destroying any semblance of unity, empowerment, and pride within the Back Male. A tactical device often used by oppressive cultures to "divide and conquer".
Few plays explore this dynamic; and I applaud the playwright for accenting this theme, however brief.
The eventual "betrayal" that each woman experienced by their "Black Men" was a direct consequence of their "powerlessness" and "impotence" (very much in keeping with what went on in the sixties).
The commonality that the women shared, both Black and White, was a good contrast and balance on the part of the director (Mr. Long III); otherwise, the production would have been too intense, provoking a sense of uneasiness" (within the audience).
The make-up of the audience was an even mix and were very much "plugged in" to what was going on. There were a few funny scenes, again, diffusing the tension of the subject matter. Whether this was by accident on the part of the director or deliberate, doesn't matter. It worked
The subject of lust and "jungle fever" was briefly "treaded on" and woven into the fabric of the plot (again, very much in keeping with the sexual exhibition of the "Black Image" in the 60's and 70's Black exploitation films).
The performance of the actors was absolutely outstanding, great energy, stamina, and "on the spot" improve on some scenes which experienced "technical difficulties". But the cast was able to completely hold the fort. It is often said that a playwright's dream is to see his characters come to life-doing their own "thing". One gets the feeling that this is exactly what is going on here. And that's refreshing!
The technical aspect of this production was "less than perfect". However, given that it was opening night, I will not be too critical. And, after all, the actors were really on top of their game. Everyone worked as a team, and that was nice to see.
Whitney G. Mcintosh delivered an excellent performance as Josephine Premice, a confused but determined actress trying to make it big on Broadway in the States, while enjoying a "semi illusion" of success in Europe (France).
Shalimar Zabra, a native of Sierra Leon, Africa, quietly and provocatively portrays the legendary Diana Sands and truly does a fantastic performance in "recapitulating the emotional pain, sadness, and despair that cancer, which finally ended her life, can produce in someone.
Equally impressive was her role as the dignified and poised mother. Excellent stage posturing and movements.
The rest of the cast also performedvery well together as a supportive role furthering the storyline.
Special mentioned to Omar Knight. Excellent consistency of characterization and method.
Good work. one and half stars!
This production was quite a "snapshot" into the past (50's and 60's). I have a "soft spot" for productions set in the 60's (probably because I was born in that decade). As a man of Color, and being raised in another country, my experiences of cultural and racial divides was little to none. I never understood the level of hatred and contempt that many minority groups faced in the 60's-permeating every fabric of cultural and daily life.
Societies that have been transformed through these experiences are the present "backbone" of today's generation.
But it wasn't always that way-and this play shows us a "glimpse" of that reality-not just here in the United States, but throughout the world.
"More, Then A Dream" is a roller coaster of intense scenes centering on powerful Black Women, and the "price" each woman had to pay to penetrate the veil of bigotry and abuse within the entertainment industry.
The playwright, Nicholas Long III, took the painful liberty of explaining to the audience how these racial and bigoted attitudes "poisoned" these characters, like a venom infecting an open wound along its course to the heart-thus killing the host.
Another interesting dynamic was the social roles expected of the Black Male, and how, via the Black Woman, was "usurped", "undermined", and "disrespected", adding to the dysfunctionality and destroying any semblance of unity, empowerment, and pride within the Back Male. A tactical device often used by oppressive cultures to "divide and conquer".
Few plays explore this dynamic; and I applaud the playwright for accenting this theme, however brief.
The eventual "betrayal" that each woman experienced by their "Black Men" was a direct consequence of their "powerlessness" and "impotence" (very much in keeping with what went on in the sixties).
The commonality that the women shared, both Black and White, was a good contrast and balance on the part of the director (Mr. Long III); otherwise, the production would have been too intense, provoking a sense of uneasiness" (within the audience).
The make-up of the audience was an even mix and were very much "plugged in" to what was going on. There were a few funny scenes, again, diffusing the tension of the subject matter. Whether this was by accident on the part of the director or deliberate, doesn't matter. It worked
The subject of lust and "jungle fever" was briefly "treaded on" and woven into the fabric of the plot (again, very much in keeping with the sexual exhibition of the "Black Image" in the 60's and 70's Black exploitation films).
The performance of the actors was absolutely outstanding, great energy, stamina, and "on the spot" improve on some scenes which experienced "technical difficulties". But the cast was able to completely hold the fort. It is often said that a playwright's dream is to see his characters come to life-doing their own "thing". One gets the feeling that this is exactly what is going on here. And that's refreshing!
The technical aspect of this production was "less than perfect". However, given that it was opening night, I will not be too critical. And, after all, the actors were really on top of their game. Everyone worked as a team, and that was nice to see.
Whitney G. Mcintosh delivered an excellent performance as Josephine Premice, a confused but determined actress trying to make it big on Broadway in the States, while enjoying a "semi illusion" of success in Europe (France).
Shalimar Zabra, a native of Sierra Leon, Africa, quietly and provocatively portrays the legendary Diana Sands and truly does a fantastic performance in "recapitulating the emotional pain, sadness, and despair that cancer, which finally ended her life, can produce in someone.
Equally impressive was her role as the dignified and poised mother. Excellent stage posturing and movements.
The rest of the cast also performedvery well together as a supportive role furthering the storyline.
Special mentioned to Omar Knight. Excellent consistency of characterization and method.
Good work. one and half stars!
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