Washingtonian pride versus DuBoisian gentleness. Chris Bennion

Comments

1
Mr. Mudede is so correct that all the actors envelop the true nature of the characters and convince me that they want me to appreciate their part in the story on stage. The set representing a house in Seattle's Central District in that era is perfect for the staging of this story. It even had mold on the shingles of the roof with tree branches from the storm that felled the tree in the yard.

I was extremely impressed with the true emotional outpouring that all actors acheived. The directing done by Valerie Curtis-Newton was perfect to truly represent the times, the historical events and racial equality potential. Her words "..set the play in a place where blacks and whites historically shared a common fence."

Congrats to Intiman, Ms. Curtis-Newton, the actors and all who made this experience for me a true joy. And I only saw the preview. I may have to go back for more.
2
This may be the best piece of writing I've seen from Charles. Spot on.

This is a wonderful show. It's embarrassing that in a city as large and diverse as Seattle the Intiman had many empty seats last night (4/2 - a Saturday night no less).
3
While I appreciated the oratorical heights achieved by this review, it would have been constructive for Mr. Mudede to have spoken with the play's director, Valerie Curtis-Newton. During the talk she gave at Town Hall Seattle's "The Once & Future of Seattle's Central District" on March 27th, she noted that there were, in fact, black industrialists during the era in which the play was set, and made clear that she had gone to considerable lengths to ensure the tenents of the plot were plausible. Your conclusion--a worthy plea for universality in imagination--might have taken a different direction, armed with a thorough understanding of the director's intent.
4
While I appreciate that transferring the story to an African American family is a historic choice, I wanted to like the show more than I did. Frankly, I thought the emotional moments as portrayed by the actors playing the mother and son didn't seem very organic- they were almost Kabuki style. The actress playing the romantic lead was on the overhand largely inexpressive. The actor playing the father was definitely solid in what the play demanded of him, and that almost is enough to make the whole show successful, but not quite.
5
Saw the show last night and the theatre was a good 80% full. This is a terrific, powerfully acted show, even if I felt the power of those actors kind of came and went... seemingly forced at times and totally a natural part of the moment at times. The ending had everyone hooked.

I wish it didn't take an all-black theme show for local black actors to get a chance like this to shine on a Seattle mainstage. Reginald Jackson deserves more consistent opportunities to play a lead role (though on that note I'm glad he drew Macbeth in Wooden O's summer park show).

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