[NEohioPAL]Seven Critics Weigh in on In the Blood at Dobama Theatre -- Playing Through Sunday ONLY!

[Marjorie Preston, PR/Marketing Director]

Don't miss your chance to see the critically-acclaimed In the Blood by
Suzan-Lori Parks at Dobama Theatre through March 30th!  Final performances
are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Audiences laugh, weep and stand in applause.  The mirror is turned on
ourselves in this gripping, visceral slice of life.

What the critics are saying about Dobama Theatre's production of In the
Blood:

"When a playwright's powerful words find their theatrical equivalent in a
director's bold vision and in peerless acting, the result is an experience
unlike any other.  In the Blood at Dobama Theatre is such an
experience...the production, through March 30, spearheaded by director Sonya
Robbins and a dream cast including Rasheryl McCreary as the doomed Hester,
takes the drama even higher.  From the charged and symbolic opening to the
shattering and tragic conclusion, In the Blood will make you laugh, rage
and, ultimately, weep...no detail is overlooked...If there is such a thing
as a perfect production, In the Blood comes close."  Fran Heller, Cleveland
Jewish News

"Parks, one of our leading producers of plays that matter, conjures up works
that are gritty and real while at the same time being poetic and highly
symbolic.  Director Sonya Robbins whips up a pitch-perfect blend of
smoldering naturalism and hissing stylization in a haunting evocation of
Parks' nightmare-scape...bruising study of the vast, starving underbelly of
America and those who had a hand in creating it" Tony Brown, The Plain
Dealer

"a damn fine theatrical experience.  In the Blood is essentially a
contemporary interpretation of the good vs. evil themes in Nathaniel
Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter...lively street-beat language...In an
exceptional cast, the standout is Rasheryl McCreary, who is achingly wounded
and relentlessly resilient as Hester...Even given the dour subject matter,
there are plenty of chuckles...There is an irresistible musical flow to this
material, and director Sonya Robbins has her players performing like a
troupe of jazz all-stars -- blending smoothly during the ensemble family
scenes, then vamping soulfully in their solo turns."  Christine Howey, Scene

"In the Blood, by Suzan-Lori Parks, the 2002 Pulitzer Prize-winning
playwright of Topdog/Underdog, continues her tradition of reminding society
of its hypocrisy by reflecting the ideals, traditions and assumptions of its
poor...Robbins's production of In the Blood is a must see...Less concerned
with her self-respect than with feeding her children, Hester degrades
herself through sex and panhandling.  McCreary's believable portrayal of
Hester deserves enormous recognition...a great combination of acting and
production...In the Blood felt like a Broadway play in the heart of
Manhattan." Josette Compton, Call & Post

"Certain images were appalling because the human family could treat one
another so callously and cold.  'Service' with a smile, and the twisting of
the knife is so direct in this piece...must see...Susan-Lori Parks'
presentation of the letter 'A' is brilliant, logical and twisted.  It truly
reflects the quiet deprivation of our society...different roles...created an
almost Sybil multiplicity that encompassed a range of personalities both
outwardly and inside the individuals...truly an ensemble cast."  Cliff
Williams, City News

“’In the Blood,’ by Pulitzer-Prize winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks…takes
you on an even further descent into a particular social hell…parts of it are
extremely stylized and even grotesque, while the rest of it is a slice of
dreary realism…One of the most mesmerizing and charismatic actresses in the
area, McCreary can suck all the air from a room just by taking the
stage…Cassandra Vincent and Anthony Elfonzia (Nickerson)…are…equally
dynamic…sure-footed and hypnotic.  Sonya Robbins’ energetic direction…keeps
the action brisk, and the ebb and flow of the six actors in their comings
and goings make the cast seem a lot larger…Production values…are stunning
for a theatre with a miniscule budget and problems of space.” Les Roberts,
Sun Press

“Every once in a while, theatre-goers have the experience of knowing they
have experienced greatness.  This has to be the case of anyone who has
attended a performance of ‘In the Blood’ at Dobama Theatre…Suzan-Lori Parks
is a playwright to be reckoned with…Director Sonya Robbins leaves no
emotional leaf unturned in her staging.  The scenes are riveting.  The
performances are honed to a high level.  Even the technical qualities are
first-rate.  Bill Ransom’s original music sets the emotional tone.  Todd
Krispinsky has created a totally realistic bridge abutment.  Andrew Kaletta’
s lighting is mood-perfect.  You will not see a finer performance than
Rasheryl McCreary’s emotionally-shattering Hester.  Her pain is our pain.
Her frustrations are our frustrations.  She is magnificent!  Victor
Dickerson, Anthony Elfonzia (Nickerson), Renee Matthews-Jackson, Kevin
Brewer and Cassandra Vincent are all wonderful.”  Roy Berko, The Times
Newspapers

Features on In the Blood have also been published in Urban Dialect magazine,
Savoir-Faire and the Gay People's Chronicle.  Rasheryl McCreary was also
featured on WVIZ-TV's "Applause."

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Dobama Theatre is proud to present In the Blood by Suzan-Lori Parks,
directed by Sonya Robbins.
Featuring RaSheryl McCreary and original music by Bill Ransom
Through March 30

"If there is such a thing as a perfect production, In the Blood comes
close." Cleveland Jewish News
"...a pitch-perfect blend of smoldering naturalism and hissing
stylization..." The Plain Dealer
"In an exceptional cast, the standout is Rasheryl McCreary, who is achingly
wounded and relentlessly resilient as Hester." Scene
"...must see...felt like a Broadway play in the heart of Manhattan." Call &
Post
"...brilliant, logical and twisted...truly reflects the quiet deprivation of
our society."  City News
"...energetic direction...production values are stunning" Les Roberts, Sun
Press
"must see...you will not see a finer performance than Rasheryl McCreary's
emotionally shattering Hester...She is magnificent!" Roy Berko, The Times
Newspapers

Upcoming Productions:
THE 25th ANNUAL MARILYN BIANCHI KIDS' PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL
Benefit Night June 5
FREE Performances June 6-8

2003/2004 SEASON SCHEDULE TO BE ANNOUNCED THIS SUMMER!

Dobama Theatre is located at 1846 Coventry Road in Cleveland Heights.  For
reservations, call Dobama's box office line: (216) 932-3396.