TheatreVCU, Barksdale put on moving production of 'Bluest Eye'
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RICHMOND -- Even though it has been awhile since I read Toni Morrison's 1970 novel about racism, race-based concepts of beauty, incest, and child molestation, I think Lydia Diamond's two-act adaption of Morrison's first novel does justice to the work on many levels.
This jewel of a play, a joint production of TheatreVCU and the Barksdale Theatre, has pared down the novel's characters to a cast of 10 essential players -- three of whom do double duty as a sort of Greek chorus of nameless, faceless "gossips" -- who remain hidden behind impossibly large brimmed hats.
The plot revolves around a year in the life of young Pecola, played to perfection by Crystal Johnson, a fourth-year theatre student. Johnson is entirely believable in speech, mannerisms, even appearance, as she takes us through a horrific year in the life of this unloved pre-teen. Her quiet determination contrasts perfectly with her crestfallen disposition after she successfully maneuvers the invisibility of racism to purchase three penny candies that will bring her a few moments of happiness.
With the aid of flashbacks and the narrative voice of young Claudia MacTeer, one of Pecola's few friends, Johnson makes Pecola's actions and descent into madness believable and inevitable. Olivia Luna and Brittney DeRizzio, third- and second-year theatre students, respectively, are entirely credible as the girls who share their room with Pecola when her family is "put outside."
This is as much a credit to their blooming acting skills as it is to their smooth, innocent faces, and visual support provided by the on-point costuming by Adrian Boyes and the rough-hewn, utilitarian set by Reid Patton.
Moments of normalcy, as when Mrs. MacTeer rubs salve on the chests of her daughters, ending with a small dab on the tongue to be swallowed, just as my own grandmother did, help balance out the "cloak of ugliness" that enshrouds the lives of Pecola and her family.
Flashbacks help us understand how Pecola's mother, Pauline, and father, Cholly, arrived at the station they occupy in life, but nothing lessens the shock of Pecola's rape by her father, leaving her pregnant. Margarette Joyner brings humor and authenticity to her role as Pecola's mother. Thomas E. Nowlin plays the alcoholic Cholly with authenticity as well, but it's hard to feel any sympathy for Cholly's inexplicable and inexcusable actions, and even Nowlin must detach himself from his role when he watches the results of Cholly's actions.
At the end, Pecola looks in the mirror and believes her eyes have turned blue -- the only way she believes she can be loved.
Theatre students Ashley Davis and Aliki Pappas and veteran actors Ronnie Brown, Katrinah Carol Lewis, and David Raine complete the cast of this moving production, so insightfully directed by April A. Jones.
This jewel of a play, a joint production of TheatreVCU and the Barksdale Theatre, has pared down the novel's characters to a cast of 10 essential players -- three of whom do double duty as a sort of Greek chorus of nameless, faceless "gossips" -- who remain hidden behind impossibly large brimmed hats.
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| Crystal Johnson as Pecola |
With the aid of flashbacks and the narrative voice of young Claudia MacTeer, one of Pecola's few friends, Johnson makes Pecola's actions and descent into madness believable and inevitable. Olivia Luna and Brittney DeRizzio, third- and second-year theatre students, respectively, are entirely credible as the girls who share their room with Pecola when her family is "put outside."
This is as much a credit to their blooming acting skills as it is to their smooth, innocent faces, and visual support provided by the on-point costuming by Adrian Boyes and the rough-hewn, utilitarian set by Reid Patton.
Moments of normalcy, as when Mrs. MacTeer rubs salve on the chests of her daughters, ending with a small dab on the tongue to be swallowed, just as my own grandmother did, help balance out the "cloak of ugliness" that enshrouds the lives of Pecola and her family.
Flashbacks help us understand how Pecola's mother, Pauline, and father, Cholly, arrived at the station they occupy in life, but nothing lessens the shock of Pecola's rape by her father, leaving her pregnant. Margarette Joyner brings humor and authenticity to her role as Pecola's mother. Thomas E. Nowlin plays the alcoholic Cholly with authenticity as well, but it's hard to feel any sympathy for Cholly's inexplicable and inexcusable actions, and even Nowlin must detach himself from his role when he watches the results of Cholly's actions.
At the end, Pecola looks in the mirror and believes her eyes have turned blue -- the only way she believes she can be loved.
Theatre students Ashley Davis and Aliki Pappas and veteran actors Ronnie Brown, Katrinah Carol Lewis, and David Raine complete the cast of this moving production, so insightfully directed by April A. Jones.
