S H E.. at Antaeus

SHE !

 

Camille Ariana Spirlin and Lorenz Arnell
Photo by Jeff Lorch

Recent local theatre productions featuring black folks  have arrived at virtually the same time.  ANW's The Bluest Eye and Blood at the Root at Open Fist bubble with stories  told of  overcoming bias or at least bringing it to light. The pendulum swings and cultures long under the radar are given voice.  Now, the world premiere of "SHE" by Marlow Wyatt.

Beige.  Beige is not a color, exactly. It's more of an attitude that scenic designer Eli Sherlock  has brought  to this tale as a theme for a reason. I don't know what the reason is, but it is very impressive. Certainly the story of "SHE", the ambitious  young woman. ahead of her years with Mickey Mouse puffs  of hair and a gorgeous smile rolls along with few bumps. The couple of bumps for SHE are given fair warning to the audience and may just be for dramatic effect. Joseph Campbell tells us that the Hero must encounter obstacles in the quest.

Physical staging of this play must have been done with a reason that escapes me.  We are asked to presume the fourth wall to the kitchen where SHE works her tail off to present the truly good kid she is.  SHE curries favor with an over worked mom, Bernice (Karen Malina White) who has taken up with  a telegraphed jive ass Casaova, Mr. Lonnie (Jon Chaffin).. 

We have mostly realistic dialogue with an occasional  underscore of Anthony Newley's "Feelin' Good" , probably introduced to SHE by Nina Simone.  It's a message of hope! Hope, is the four letter word that keeps SHE on track and hungry to fly.  

Nick Santiago's projections are spectacular with text to boost the feeling of flight and hopin' for the wings to carry SHE to the place where she belongs. 

It's summer, 1970 . 

Clark County,USA

SHE: Sojourer Freeman Johnson (Camille Ariana Spirlin) is almost fourteen.  Her dreams and self confidence are blossoming as the summer is upon us.  SHE races home from the last day of school with her pal, Davie, (Lorenz Arnell). Davie is already fourteen, but as is with most guys, not as mature as sophisticated wanna be SHE. He's content to be a kid. SHE is ready for the big time.

Truth be told, it's a somewhat pedestrian story of the hopes and dreams of the kid who has the innate talent to make it out of Dodge to show the world something. Of course, there are hurdles to handle and the stuff of life to encounter even before it's really time for tough challenges.

Bernice, is SHE's mother (Karen Malina White)  who, being swept away by low life casanova Mr. Lonnie (Jon Chaffin) falls victim to his charms. Stock characters  include nosy old Miss Jane (Veronica Thompson also the elegant regent of SHE's  fancy boarding school) and the not so good fella from the other side of the tracks Othalee (Gerard Joseph) round out the cast. 

On entering the performance space, it is clear that there is serious money on the stage.  At times the beige set outshines the story.  Eli Sherlock's brilliant scenic design with truly amazing projections by Nick Santiago amplified by Andrew Schmedake's lights and Jeff Gardner's sound, provide a serious challenge for the actors.  Andi Chapman's direction confused me with actors crossing the width of the stage from left to right that forced an odd entry to the stoop of SHE's house?  The beautiful set was 'painted' all beige with projections for wall paper and later, a county fair with Ferris Wheel, a gorgeous river view and a moving train.  Brilliant Tech! Brilliant.

SHE and Davie present well the teen  lovers to be, but the levels of performance start high tend to  stay amped. .

  It may have been playwright Marlow Wyatt's intention for this piece to feel presentational and broad. Certainly, SHE's monologues are heartfelt.  It is simply the basic story of a bright kid with ambition lumbered by circumstance.  In spite  of being a way better than average scholar (only one B on her report card!), the dream of Vanguard Academy seems out of reach.  With luck, SHE may be given a ride to  a real education out of this dreary dead end town. 

The eventual exposure  of  Mr. Lonnie's hand makes for an over long evening. That said.. if the theatre lover enjoys a full production and appreciates excellence in the way a scenic design and projections and sound bring this rather simple story to life, it's a show not to be missed. 

Antaeus Theatre Company is a Bright Jewel in the crown of The Jewel City. Sponsoring new work like this World Premiere is important  and The City of Glendale should show support for the work being done by this group of talented professionals.

 Cast:

SHE Sojourner Freeman Camille Ariana Spirlin

Davie Mansaw,  Lorenz Arnell;   

Bernice, Karen Malina White  

Mr. Lonnie Jon Chaffin, 

Miss Jane Veronica Thompson  

Othalee Gerard Joseph   

Crew: 

Scenic designer Eli Sherlock, 

Lighting designer Andrew Schmedake, 

Sound designer Jeff Gardner, 

Video designer Nick Santiago, 

Costume designer Wendell C. Carmichael

Properties designer Katie Iannitello. 

Assistant director  Jessica Williams 

Production stage manager Camella Cooper.

SHE

Written by Marlow Wyatt
Directed by Andi Chapman

Antaeus Theatre Company

Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center
110 East Broadway
Glendale, CA 91205

Previews: Oct. 15–Oct. 19
Performances: Oct. 20–Nov. 20
• Tuesday at 8 p.m.: Oct. 17 ONLY (preview)
• Wednesday at 8 p.m.: Oct. 18 ONLY (preview)
• Thursday at 8 p.m.: Oct. 19 (preview), Nov. 9 and Nov. 16 ONLY
• Fridays at 8 p.m.: Oct. 20 (opening), Oct. 27, Nov. 3, Nov. 10, Nov. 17
• Saturdays at 2 p.m.: Nov. 11 and Nov. 18 ONLY
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Oct. 21, Oct. 28, Nov. 4, Nov. 11, Nov. 18
• Sundays at 2 p.m.: Oct. 15 (preview), Oct. 22, Oct. 29, Nov. 5, Nov. 12, Nov. 19
• Mondays at 8 p.m.: Oct. 30, Nov. 6, Nov. 13, Nov. 20 (dark Oct. 23)

Tickets and Information
Antaeus.org
(818) 506-1983