America does not talk openly or easily about matters of race, and it is not surprise that this play-in-monologues by J.T. Rogers falls into a trap of good intentions and obvious choices. A professor, a housewife and a corporate attorney—all white, and all grappling with their politically incorrect but deeply felt biases—alternately tell their stories. Each culminates in tragedy, which feels like a narrative contrivance rather than the stuff of life. Racism—or the less-overtly hostile assumptions we make based on racial stereotypes—isn’t so much about dramatic turning moments as it is a facet of daily life. Only the attorney goes beyond surface predictability. As played by John Kelly Connolly (who finds a nice balance between yuppie assurance and nagging doubt), he is a guy from a blue-collar background keenly attuned to the subtleties of social Darwinism. “I’m not trying to be ugly here,” he says at one point, “I’m just trying to make a point.” He is both aware and unaware. That’s a telling observation. Otherwise, the Gift Theatre production, directed by Michael Patrick Thornton, elevates the material beyond its limitations—the play is getting a better show than it deserves. Even the white-on-white American flag draped on stage says more than the script itself. (Nina Metz)
At the Gift Theatre, 4802 N. Milwaukee, (773)283-7071. This production is now closed.
We Are All the People We’ve Loved: A Review of Layalina at Goodman Theatre We are reminded, subtly, that we too are made up of the stuff of those who have loved us. Whether we like it or not there are characteristics and tendencies we each carry within ourselves taken from those who came before.
Players 2022: The Fifty People Who Really Perform for Chicago In the return of the Players 50 list, we tried to honor those who came back, who've already been putting shows on stages, while crossing our fingers that those we've not heard from are just around the corner.
