Caroline, or Change

 Caroline, or Change
Roundabout Theatre Company
Studio 54
November 9, 2021 

Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of Caroline,or Change is bold and glorious.  The book and lyrics by Tony Kushner tells a very personal and intimate story, while the music by Jeanine Tesori exaggerates the emotional impact.  Director Michal Longhurst pulls very powerful performances out of the seventeen skilled cast members, who fill the stage of Studio 54 with energy, authenticity, and joy.  

Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Caroline (played by Sharon D Clarke) is the maid for the Gellman family in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  The year is 1963.  Caroline spends most of her time underground, in the basement doing laundry.  Eight year old Noah (played by Jaden Myles Waldman) visits her after school.  He misses his mother, who passed away from cancer.  Caroline is a strong link for Noah to his mother.  To teach him a lesson, Noah’s step mother, Rose (played by Caisie Levy), tells Caroline to keep any money she finds in Noah’s pockets when she does his laundry.  At first Caroline returns the spare change to Noah, unable to take money from a child.  Then Noah deliberately leaves coins in his pockets for Caroline to take home to her children.  When Noah accidentally leaves his twenty dollar Chanukah gelt given to him by his grandfather (played by Chip Zein), Caroline decides to keep it.  Noah demands its return, and Caroline voices hate in words she cannot take back.  She does not return to work for a week.  Caroline must come to terms with her inner struggle in order to heal herself and improve the relationship with her own children.  

Sharon D Clarke & Jaden Myles Waldman
Photo courtesy of Roudabout Theatre Company

Sharon D Clark is a powerhouse as Caroline.  This story hinges on the character’s inability to let go of hurt, and Ms. Clark is tenacious and immovable in this role.  When her backstory is revealed in Act II, all of what she portrayed in Act I comes into focus.  When she faces her truths, the release and healing is genuine.  Also vital to this story is the attachment Noah has to Caroline.  Jaden Myles Waldman is honest and truthful as Noah.  He and Ms. Clark are in sync and truly connected. 

Caisie Levy & Sharon D Clarke
Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Caisie Levy portrays dual sides of Noah’s stepmother, Rose.  On the outside she is perky and polite.  On the inside she is scared and frustrated.  Her performance is riveting, and adds some most needed humor to the storyline.  Tamika Lawrence is tough and vulnerable as Caroline’s friend, Dotty Moffett.  Samantha Williams is brave and rebellious as Caroline’s daughter, Emmie.  Her character grows throughout her journey.  She leaves us with the concluding moment of the play, which is poignant and relevant.

Here is a quote from the program by Director Michael Levy:  “This show is about how we all exits together – how we should share and acknowledge our privilege, not avoid it, in order to exist in greater peace.”  Caroline, or Change is playing at Studio 54 through January 9. 

Domenick Danza