Ohio State Murders

 Ohio State Murders
James Earle Jones Theatre
December 26, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Ohio State Murders

Audra McDonald transforms herself into the role of Suzanne Alexander in Adrienne Kennedy’s Ohio State Murders.  She shares the stage with four skilled actors, yet the piece plays like a one-character show.  The other characters enhance the action and keep it centered in the present, while Ms. McDonald’s character narrates the full story, weaving through time with an emotionally impactful outcome.  Director Kenny Leon carefully finds the moments for Ms. McDonald to explore rich subtext that draws the audience in and fully connects them to the main character’s journey.

Suzanne Alexander (played by Audra McDonald) is asked where the violent images in her work come from.  This questions takes her back to the years she spent at Ohio State University.  As a young Black woman, she faces the limitations place on her and dives into her literature studies.  She is enamored by her professor, Robert Hampshire (played by understudy Christian Pedersen).  He recognizes the brilliance in her papers and assignments.  She is asked to leave the dormitory when she finds out she is pregnant.  Shunned by her parents, she goes to live in New York City with her Aunt Louise (played by Lizan Mitchell).  She gives birth to twin girls, and, supported by her aunt, returns to Ohio State to continue her studies.  Everything is progressing well, until the abduction and murder of one of her twin baby girls.  She stays at Ohio State, hoping to find out who committed this horrendous crime.  It is not until two years later, when her second daughter is murdered, that she finds out.  All is kept private, until she is asked about the violent images in her work.  She then speaks freely. 

Photo courtesy of Ohio State Murders

Adrienne Kennedy’s writing is compelling.  It has a natural flow that keeps the audience hanging on for the next sentence.  The piece is relatively chronological, yet has subtle loops in time that reveal details that deepen the action and propels it forward.  These are powerful moments that make the audience listen more intently and think more acutely.  

Audra McDonald encompasses every nuance in Ms. Kennedy’s writing.  She personalizes the character’s experience at Ohio State in the 1950’s so you can feel the atmosphere and identify with her challenges.  Ms. McDonald finds the richness beneath the written words, creating a character with genuine depth.  She is eager, vulnerable, and tenacious.  You can see the weight of character’s life experiences in Ms. McDonald’s eyes in the opening scene.  By the end of the story, you fully comprehend what she carries. 

Ohio State Murders is playing at the James Earl Jones Theatre through February 12.  The renovation of the theatre is remarkable.  This play is the perfect way to celebrate the new space.  Don’t miss it! 

Domenick Danza