By the Way, Meet Vera Stark

By the Way, Meet Vera Stark

Signature Theatre

The Pershing Square Signature Center

February 23, 2019

Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

In By the Way, Meet Vera Stark playwright Lynn Nottage tackles the racial stereotypes generated by the early years of Hollywood.  Together with Director Kamilah Forbes, they put a mirror to the audience for a deep look at how these images still live inside our minds today.  Although first produced in 2011, this play has a timely voice.  The Signature Theatre production brings together an impeccable cast and design team to celebrate Ms. Nottage’s poignant and powerful writing.

Act I opens in Hollywood in 1933.  We are in the posh living room of movie start Gloria Mitchel (played by Jenni Barber).  She is preparing for a screen test with her maid, Vera Stark (played by Jessica Frances Dukes).  While Gloria is nervous, scattered, and high strung, Vera is grounded, focused, and strong-willed.  Vera wants to be a movie actress, yet the color of her skin creates great limitation for her in the movie industry.  In her small apartment she commiserates with her roommate Lottie (played by Heather Alicia Simms), while her second, fair-skinned roommate, Anna Mae (played by Carra Patterson), goes on a date with a white movie director.  Vera meets Leroy Barksdale (played by Warner Miller) while waiting for Gloria to complete her screen test.  Leroy is a musician who claims to be the “Guy Friday” for the film’s director, but turns out to be his chauffer.  All the characters collide at a Hollywood party hosted by Gloria, where their lives and careers are propelled into the lime light.

Warren Miller & Jessica Frances Dukes
Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

Act II fast forward to 2003.  Vera Stark had success as a film actress, and a retrospective on her career is being presented.  The focus is on the movie she made with Gloria Mitchell in 1933.  The host, Herb Forrester (also played by Warner Miller) shows a 1973 television interview where Vera and Gloria are reunited and come close to spilling a few secrets of Hollywood glamour.

Jessica Francis Duke is captivating as Vera Stark.  She is direct and truthful in the early Hollywood scenes.  Her character’s optimism and determination keep the first act moving.  She and Warner Miller have an amazing chemistry.  Their scenes together are riveting.  They play each and every moment with scintillating musicality.  Ms. Dukes makes a brilliant transition in the portrayal of Vera in 1973.  Her presence is powerful, and her interpretation is rich in subtext that reveals volumes.

Jessica Frances Dukes & Jenni Barber
Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

In the final scene, Ms. Nottage makes a bold statement about the courage and integrity of black women in early Hollywood.  Ms. Dukes and Ms. Barber play this moment to perfection, giving an eternal voice to the courage and self-awareness of these pioneers.

The Signature Theatre production of By the Way, Meet Vera Stark has been extended.  It is playing at The Pershing Square Signature Center through March 10.  Do whatever you can to get a ticket.  It is not to be missed.

Domenick Danza