Fairview
Theatre for a New Audience
Polonsky Shakespeare Center
July 11, 2019
Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience |
Jackie
Sibblies Drury’s Pulitzer Prize winning Fairview turns the table on the
audience in order to give them a different perspective on race in this
country. Director Sarah Benson and Choreographer
Raja Feather Kelly collaborate with skillful precision, layering this amazing
production with meticulous detail that creates a profound effect. In true Brechtian style, the audience is
encouraged to questions their percepton and see the familiar through a different
perspective. Going a step further, the
audience is drawn into becoming an active participant, gaining an understanding
of the clear and profound message of the playwright.
Charles Browning, Heather Alicia Simms, & Roslyn Ruff Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience |
At
first we watch the story of a wealthy, suburban black family as they prepare for
the birthday celebration of their matriarch.
Beverly (played by Heather Alicia Simms), is nervously preparing the
dinner. Her husband, Dayton (played by
Charles Browning), teases and supports her, while pretending to have forgotten
to pick up the root vegetables needed for the dinner. In comes Beverly’s high maintenance and
gossipy sister, Jasmine (played by Roslyn Ruff), pushing buttons and raising
Beverly’s stress level. Beverly and
Dayton’s teenage daughter, Keisha (played by Mayaa Boateng), returns from her
basketball practice and asks her Aunt Jasmine to help her convince her mother
to allow her to take a year off before starting college. Amid the hectic craze, the lights focus in on
Keisha for a serious, pensive moment. The
stress of the evening is all too much for Beverly. She faints from the overstimulation.
Mayaa Boateng as Keisha Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience |
During
the next section of the play we hear a discussion on race. The question is asked, “If you could choose, which
race would you be born into?” While this
voice-over dialogue is being heard, the previous scene reruns silently. The precise timing allows for a different insight
into the characters we thought we knew. Our
observations are filtered through the dialogue being heard.
The
third section of the play is wildly absurd, yet the playwright remains in
complete control of the voices and images that make her audience question their
individual perception. The full cast
brilliantly leads an unsuspecting audience to a complete and brutal reversal of
reality. None of this would be possible
if not for the total trust you place in the character of Keisha. Ms. Boateng is truthful, warm, and endearing
in this monumental role.
Playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury Photo courtesy of Berkeley Rep |
Soho
Rep’s Fairview is playing downtown Brooklyn at Theatre for a New Audience
through August 11. There are no words
that can explain the impact of this production.
It boldly takes the concept of Brecht’s “epic theatre” forward into the
21st century. You need to be
there yourself to fully experience, understand, and be a part of its impact.
Domenick Danza
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