Displaying items by tag: dominique morisseau
Rich Dialog Brings to Life the Denizens of Detroit Stamping Factory as Shutdown Approaches
In Skeleton Crew, playwright Dominique Morisseau hits close to home, presenting an event that still profoundly impacts America: the 2008 economic meltdown. It is captured here in the form of an imminent Detroit car plant closure.
Our memories are still fresh from that time, and wounds to our social fabric not fully healed from a period when millions lost their homes and savings, and we careened to the brink of a global depression, nearly bankrupting U.S. auto makers.
As Skeleton Crew opens, this tumultuous crash is still unfolding and American were living through early phases of what would befall us. At the plant, management has been whittling away at the employee headcount, raising workloads for those remaining, even as rumors abound that this auto body metal stamping plant may close.
The action plays out entirely in the break room, from which massive industrial gantries and cranes are visible overhead. The clamor of the production line permeates the set as we meet Faye, a senior factory veteran and United Auto Workers Union steward (Jacqueline Williams delivers a dynamic performance); Dez, an aspiring young entrepreneur just finding his in life and work (Bernard Gilbert is excellent); and Shanita, an expectant mom who is also model employee. (AnJi White offers a richly textured performance). A supervisor, Reggie (Kelvin Rolston, Jr.) who has risen through the ranks, represents management in the unfolding drama.
I suspect these characters also stand as archetypes, symbolizing familiar types and generational shifts – each carries also a large measure of personal baggage and backstory. We learn that Reggie’s late mom was very close to Faye, and that Faye was like a second mother to him. We see Dez mapping out plans to open a small business – a car repair and restoration shop - but sense the incursions of rising crime and social dissolution. Dez is jumped by two thugs at a convenience store, and with the perspective of today's #BlackLivesMatter sensibilities, see another young black male at risk. Dez begins to carry a gun, and perhaps Morisseau means to foreshadow the tribulation of inner city violence today.
The more circumspect Shanita represents self-reliance and maturity. Perhaps just a little older than Dez, she fends off his less-than-serious amorous advances, until shifting gears when she becomes pregnant. Faye is the establishment, the UAW go-between to management negotiating secretly with Reggie over how workers will be affected by the shutdown. We learn the circumstances of her personal life are crumbling - as is the auto industry, and perhaps Morisseau is suggesting, social norms.
Morisseau’s earlier installments in her trilogy of plays, Detroit 67 (at Northlight in 2013) and Paradise Blue at Chicago’s Timeline Theatre in July 2017 – also displayed her facility for rich dialog, and an eye for character and dramatic trajectory. All three have been directed by Ron O.J Parsons (formidably well in Paradise Blue and Skeleton Crew; I missed Detroit 67). Parsons is also a frequent interpreter of August Wilson’s dramas at Court Theatre, where he is an artist in residence, and around the country. That is a fit for Morisseau, who says she aspires to give voice to Detroit (she uses the word “griot” for her role here) just as August Wilson was for Pittsburgh in his cycle of plays set there.
Northlight Theater's high production values have given a fine expression to this show, with Scott Davis (scenic design), Samantha C. Jones (costumes), Keith Parham (lighting), and Ray Nardelli (sound). Rita Vreeland is Production Stage Manager. The show is highly recommended, especially so since you are well advised to watch for revivals of the rest of Morisseau's trilogy. Skeleton Crew runs through March 3 at Northlight's home, the Northshore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie.
Teatro ZinZanni's Love, Chaos, and Dinner: A Spectacular Romantic Journey of Joy and Laughter
13 December 2024 in Theatre in ReviewUpon entering the beautifully decorated lobby of Teatro Zinzanni theater on the 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel, you are…
This Charles Dickens Gets to the Heart of 'Christmas Carol' In Spectacular Performance
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HUBBARD STREET DANCE CHICAGO RETURNS TO THE HARRIS WITH A WORLD PREMIERE FOR SEASON 47 WINTER SERIES
10 December 2024 in Upcoming DanceToday, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) unveiled the full program for the second performance series of its 2024/2025 season, Season 47: Winter Series.…
An Evening with David Sedaris: The best-selling author and humorist to appear live at Aurora’s Paramount Theatre on April 12
10 December 2024 in Upcoming TheatreDavid Sedaris, author of the previous bestsellers Calypso, Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, and regular…
Hell in a Handbag Productions Hosts Special Weekend of Benefit Performances During Holiday Run of Rudolph THE RED-HOSED REINDEER An Unauthorized Musical Parody
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The Hip Hop Nutcracker is Now Playing
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Thornton Wilder’s The Long Christmas Dinner Radiant Throughout at Bramble Arts Loft
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Review: It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! at American Blues Theater
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THE CONSPIRATORS ANNOUNCE THE WORLD PREMIERE-ISH OF: AYN RAND'S "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE" AS PERFORMED BY THE CONSPIRATORS, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF PRESIDENT BIDEN—NO WAIT, LIZ CHENEY, DECEMBER 20 - 22, AT OTHERWORLD THEATRE
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Porchlight Hosts FUN HOME: BEHIND THE SHOW BACKSTORY, Dec. 10 at Ruth Page Center
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Lookingglass Welcomes Founding Ensemble Member David Schwimmer and Chicago Attorney James (Jimmy) Oh to its Board of Directors
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Cast and production team announced for Chicago Premiere of Reina Hardy’s GLASSHEART, January 10 – February 23
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Goodman Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” Warms Hearts as It Rings in a Joyful Holiday Season
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Don’t Miss this Rollicking Rendition of “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus”
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A Lovely Night; Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella revives magic at Marriott Theatre
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Throbbin’ Wood, complete with Merry Men? Count me in!
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Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival returns January 15-26, 2025
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Oil Lamp Theater Announces the Cast for its 2025 Season Opener: THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED), Jan. 24 - Feb. 16, 2025
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Half-Price Holidays return to Hot Tix as Chicago theatres get festive for the 2024 holiday season
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Steep Theatre Back Early 2025 with A Slow Air
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Announcing cast of A Nativity Tribute in Driehaus Museum's historic Murphy Auditorium, presented in partnership with African American Museum of Performing Arts
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'Blue' Holds Mirror to Race in America
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Teatro ZinZanni's Love, Chaos, and Dinner: A Spectacular Romantic Journey of Joy and Laughter
Written by Kimberly KatzUpon entering the beautifully decorated lobby of Teatro Zinzanni theater on the 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel, you are instantly transported to an exquisite, romantic art deco speakeasy. The theater itself is housed under a stunning 100-year-old Belgian Spiegeltent,… -
This Charles Dickens Gets to the Heart of 'Christmas Carol' In Spectacular Performance
Written by Bill EslerJust as there are many Santa’s around town, this time of year we have a wide selection of Christmas and Holiday-themed shows on stage. While I’ve grown quite jaded about the diminishment of “real” theater during the holidays—steadfastly avoiding the… -
HUBBARD STREET DANCE CHICAGO RETURNS TO THE HARRIS WITH A WORLD PREMIERE FOR SEASON 47 WINTER SERIES
Written by Buzz Center StageToday, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) unveiled the full program for the second performance series of its 2024/2025 season, Season 47: Winter Series. Featuring four captivating pieces, including a World Premiere by acclaimed choreographer James Gregg, the Series builds on the success of HSDC's… -
An Evening with David Sedaris: The best-selling author and humorist to appear live at Aurora’s Paramount Theatre on April 12
Written by Buzz Center StageDavid Sedaris, author of the previous bestsellers Calypso, Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, and regular National Public Radio contributor will be appearing for one night only at Aurora’s Paramount Theatre on Saturday, April 12 at 8…
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