Fairview - review

[Jane Zussman]

Peppermint Creek once again holds true to its mission to produce theatre that “…addresses vital issues in our society, raises awareness, and encourages dialogue while entertaining."

Jackie Sigglies Drury’s 2019 Pulitzer-prize-winning script Fairview asks more questions than it answers. It explores racial stereotypes and perspectives during a Black family's entertainingly surreal prep for Grandma’s birthday party — observed by four White people. Director Janell Hall leads a diverse and talented cast.

The 2-hour play is divided into three sections: 

1. Party prep, family drama, and anticipating the arrival of Grandma and Uncle Tyrone.

2. What-race-would-you-choose discussion among the four white observers.

3: The party goes on as Grandma and Tyrone arrive, as well as daughter Keisha’s friend, Erika, and an alternate version of Grandma — each played by one of the White people we met in Part 2.

Sheila Burks is the conscientious Mother, peeling carrots and trying to engineer the perfect party, assisted, thwarted, and loved by Kevin Forte as Dad who is worried that Sister/Aunt Jasmine has been invited and will threaten party perfection. She arrives (Sharon Johnson) full of glam and sass and adds life, if not “party perfection” to the gathering. Teen daughter Keisha (the talented 17- year-old Hanna Kent) arrives to bring a special perspective to the story. 

The Part 2 White people discussion is powered by the magnetic Quinn Kelly as Jimbo, wildly interrogating all about their alternate-race preferences. The discussion bubbles with stereotypical, embarrassing but entertaining humor as Quinn “rebels” against Asian stereotypes; Connor Kelly revels in LatinX fabulousness; Savannah Jordan (with a charming foreign accent) aspires to be Slav — and Rebecca Lane reveals a touching relationship with her Black childhood nanny inspiring her choice to be African American. 

Part 3 is entertaining, confusing, funny and weird, as the White actors invade the scene and the plot twists and turns into surreality. Daughter Keisha breaks the fourth wall … and the moral of the story is…? I have re-read the end of the script and I’m pretty sure no one is really sure… and that may be the point. You may want to read for yourself? Here’s a link to the script https://tdm2019806201115.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/drury-jackie-sibblies-fairview-1.pdf

But experiencing this show in person incorporates us, and our respective races, into the story — LIVE theatre! Share the experience of Fairview through March 22 at Stage One at Sycamore Creek Eastwood, directly across from McAllister’s on Lake Lansing Road; parking in back. Arrive early for best seats (general seating) and to enjoy the fascinating video on the two projection screens featuring Kehinde Wiley art, Black History photos and discussions of racial stereotypes. I would have liked these “slides” to change slower, since there was hardly time to read the captions.

Tickets at https://peppermintcreek.org

Jane Zussman

G.L.U.T. List

(Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatre)

cell 517-930-0932

JSZu...@gmail.com

http://www.greaterlansingtheatre.net 

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