‘Blooming In Dry Season’ Is thought-provoking theater
Whenever I hear that Woodie King Jr.’s New Federal Theatre is presenting a new play I know I’m about to be in for an engrossing, rich, treat. The post ‘Blooming In Dry Season’ Is thought-provoking theater appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.
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Whenever I hear that Woodie King Jr.’s New Federal Theatre is presenting a new play I know I’m about to be in for an engrossing, rich, treat that will spotlight a part of our culture and a family dynamic that will touch the heart. I recently went to see “Blooming in Dry Season,” a new work that is being presented in partnership with North Carolina Black Repertory Company. This partnership is indeed a delight to behold as these two companies work in perfect sync with each other. The play is a very moving piece written by Eljon Wardally and it shows the complex dynamic of a family in Grenada. We meet Fitz, his wife Rose and their daughter Garland.
Rose runs a beach side bar. Fitz, a once well-known Calypsonian, now sells fruit by the side of the road, while their 16-year-old daughter Garland is an up-and-coming steel pan musician and a student. As she hopes for dreams of success with the steel pan, her father — looking at his own dashed dreams — festers doubt about her success. Fitz is dealing with much more than that, however. He has an issue that many families have experienced and one that while it seems to sneak up gradually is very serious — dementia. The question posed is what does a family do when their loved one has dementia? The way Wardally shows the issue from each characters’ perspective is quite interesting and refreshing.
What I love about this play is you are dealing with subjects that we all know. And you may see your own family member in Fitz, someone who becomes forgetful, aggressive and starts to display outright confused behavior right in front of your eyes. This is a condition that affects family members in different ways. Rose takes a very spiritual approach to what is happening to her husband, a man she has sacrificed a great deal for. She takes on responsibility to protect their daughter Garland. Rose ends up having to make decisions about her relationship with her family and their future. This play truly shows that we are loving, dedicated and steadfast people who will show up for each other, no matter what resentments we harbor over what we gave up for our partners.
Melanie Matthews is strong, conflicted and dedicated as Rose. Her character is one that is very identifiable. Brian Richardson is poignant and shows signs of dementia in subtle, empathetic ways. Nikyla Boxley is an absolute delight as Garland. Her character has issues as she tries to prove herself to her father and win his approval of her musical future. She tries to be seen by him and acknowledged for her talent. It is moving to see how she feels that her father is disappointed and won’t give her credit for her abilities because she’s a girl. There are definitely some issues that come up in the Caribbean community that are given voice in this play. Issues that need to be addressed.
The direction of Jackie Alexander is spot-on and brings all the emotional levels of these three characters to stunning boiling points. This is a play you won’t soon forget, but it is only playing through June 28, so make plans to go.
From the time you walk in the WP Theatre at 2162 Broadway at 76th St. you will be captivated by the colorful and detailed scenic design by Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay, along with the lighting design by Antoinette Tynes, costume design by Gregory J. Horton, sound design by Lee Martinez Cruz, and I must include dialect coach Robin Christian-McNair. There is also an original score by Trinidadian musician Etienne Charles. For tickets visit newfederaltheare.com.
The post ‘Blooming In Dry Season’ Is thought-provoking theater appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.
