Theatre--Review

Theatre in the last decade has become increasingly difficult to criticize as it has moved from a structured art form to something more amorphous. This structure once involved an argument of some sort illustrated by the working out of a plot. In some cases the argument would be reinforced by the use of a subplot. Dialogue was a tool and not an end in itself. Dialogue which has escaped the prison of formal literary structure must now find alternate means of suppot.

This support now comes from designers who must create an aesthetically coherent vision for the audience and from actors who have to hold the audience's attention by a combination of personality and craft which must be compelling on their own terms without reference to the material of the script. The task of the director becomes largely one of creating mood and rhythm.

The problem for the critic is that any response is highly colored by personal taste. Objective criticism is limited to a discussion of technique and a general reaction to the attractiveness of the cast.

Having laid my cards out on the table, here is my response to the two one-act plays by Austin Sonnier currently playing at Cite Des Arts.

Overall, the production feels rushed. Although the sets work adequately and the set dressing in both cases is quite nice, the overall effect is still somewhat tentative, as if we were seeing a sketch rather than a painting. The lighting design is adequate except that it left Sheryl Ned as the narrator of Heads And Tales to wander about in darkness while the lights drew our attention to a completely unoccupied part of the stage. This is the second production I have seen at Cite which left actors to fend for themselves in murky conditions. If this is a choice, perhaps it should be rethought. Generally speaking, actors benefit from being visible.

On the plus side, however, director Maureen Brennan has assembled a very appealing cast which is long on charm and warmth. She has the good fortune to be able to draw from a cadre of experienced performers, many of whom have worked together before at Cite Des Arts and other local theatres.

Heads And Tales is really more of a short story than a play. The plot, which is a pretty good ghost story, is essentially narrated rather than acted out. This leaves the cast with not much to do, really, although they do it very appealingly. Bria Hobgood and Nyoki McKeith are an attractive couple of roommates who tell a scary story about the haunting of their rented house. Alessandra de Melo Batista and Jack Robertson are infernal bureaucrats and Jack Sorenson is...well, he is literally a two-faced devil. Unfortunately, he also plays audience to the girls' story and it is unclear whether he is listening to his own story or is simply playing a role for which no other actor could be found.

The second play, Greezy Spoon Cafe/Funeral Parlor, concerns just that--a small cafe which seems to double as an embalming room. In any case, a body has been embalmed and is currently being stored in the freezer of the kitchen while the undertaker awaits payment for his services. This could be tricky, since the deceased left his life insurance to his niece as a nest egg to launch her singing career in New York City. This leaves the widow with no money to pay for a funeral. Somehow, the niece must be persuaded to part with the loot against her own interests. This leads to some clever conniving which is resolved far too quickly and easily, resulting in a climax which comes at the midpoint of the show. The rest of the time is filled in with pointed remarks about the damage Katrina has done to the New Orleans music scene.

The cast includes Patricia Cravins as the forceful widow, John Bess as her twin brother (and father of the beneficiary). The chanteuse is played by Erika Fox, who sings "Cold Sunday" like the pro she is. The proprietor of the cafe (and also the undertaker) is played by Paul Batiste and the cook is played by Joshua Broussard. Tasia Riggs rounds out the cast.

Cite Des Arts has made a laudable commitment to presenting Black Theatre on a regular basis. Watch the Cite website for other opportunities to see the many talented Black theatre artists in Acadiana. They are well worth your support.
---Walter Brown