[NEohioPAL] Berko review: IN THE CONTINUUM (CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE), PLUS PREVIEWS

[Roy Berko]

‘IN THE CONTINUUM’ emotionally moves and educates
audience at CPT; upcoming productions:  “Family and
Friends,” Dobama, Verb Ballets

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	

--coocleveland.com—


‘IN THE CONTIUUM’ the two-woman play which is now
being staged at Cleveland Public Theatre, began as a
graduate school acting project. 

When Danai Gurira and Nikkole Salter were students in
New York University's graduate program, they
discovered that each was working on a play about AIDS
and its effect on black women.  Gurira set her story
in her home country of Zimbabwe.  Salter’s script was
set in her native Los Angeles.  The two decided to
combine their two scripts into one.  Obviously, the
idea was good as the resulting work, ‘IN THE
CONTINUUM,’ went on to be named one of the ten best
plays of the year.

The play centers on Abigail and Nia, the play's
protagonists, who appear to have nothing in common
other than being black and pregnant.  Abigail is a
newscaster in Zimbabwe, married to an accountant and
pregnant with their second child.  Nia is an outspoken
unmarried pregnant teenager living in LA. 
Interestingly, when Abigail speaks of her dreams she
sounds more American than African.  Nia, in her
unschooled ways, sounds more like a resident of a
Third World country.  Then we find out that Abigail's
husband cheats on her, and Nia has no hope of marrying
the father of her child, a highly recruited high
school basketball player.  And they both have HIV,
given to them by their philandering sex partners.

The script, which is not preachy, is mesmerizing.
Though the concept sounds depressing, it isn’t.   The
play is creatively developed, often filled with
laughs, and makes it points without lecturing.

It was interesting sitting in an audience on opening
night that was composed of many African Americans.  As
is the oral tradition of many American blacks, based
on the oral tradition of church preachers and
political speakers, there was much talk back to the
cast.  Agreement as to the statements being made and
disagreement with some of the decisions the characters
make were accented by audience vocal reactions.  It
made the experience encompassing and added to the
realism of the authors’ words.

The CPT production, under the wise direction of Tony
Sias, is well paced, of high intensity, and filled
with the proper humor.  Kimberly Brown as Nia and
Bianca Sams as Abigail are excellent.  Their talent
goes beyond playing the two women, as each also
portrays numerous other characters.  They are
believable throughout.

Capsule judgement:  ‘IN THE CONTINUUM’ is an excellent
script, that receives a stellar performance at
Cleveland Public Theatre.  This is a play that says
much about world conditions and the international AIDS
crisis, in a real and compelling way.  It is a must
see!

‘IN THE CONTINUUM’ runs through MAY 3.  For tickets
call 216-631-2727 or go on line to www.cptonline.org


UPCOMING EVENTS

‘FAMILY & FRIENDS’  May 9 & 10 
Cassidy Theatre, Parma Heights
An evening of some of our favorite songs with some of
our favorite people. Starring Cathie Brenkus, Cindy
Smith, Bruce Holloway, and John Nolan. 
Musical Direction by Charles Eversole
Tickets are $20:  440-842-4600

Dobama Theatre
‘THE CLEVELAND PLAYS:  PART I:  MIGRATION’
By Eric Coble, Nina Domingue, Eric Schmiedl
Directed by Eric Schmiedl
Cleveland Play House May 9-June 1, 2008
Preview Performance May 8, 2008

VERB BALLETS
Verb and Fusionfest
Program: “The Yellow River” (world premiere),
“Appalachian Spring,” “Two Hours That Shook the World”
April 25-26, 7:30 PM
The Cleveland Play House
216-795-7000
(save $5 off any regularly priced ticket..use code
RIVER when placing your order)





Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 2008, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info
      
His reviews can also be found on www.coolcleveland.com and NeOHIOpal (to subscibe visit http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/neohiopal.)


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