[NEohioPAL] Berko review: LOWER NINTH @ Ensemble Theatre

[Roy Berko]

*Ensemble’s LOWER NINTH gives a snapshot of New Orleans following Katrina *



Roy Berko



(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)



In 2005, Hurricane Katrina swept through New Orleans.  While the nation
watched in horror, the event and the area were mainly ignored by
then-President George Bush.  When the President finally appeared on the
scene, he praised the work of Mike Brown, his director of FEMA in spite of
the ineptitude of the agency and their chaotic response.



The Lower Ninth Ward is the area within New Orleans downriver industrial
canal, which is near the mouth of the Mississippi River.  This area, mainly
populated by African Americans, is still not rebuilt.



Beau Willimon’s LOWER NINTH gives a short glimpse of three men, two alive
and one dead, who are stranded on the roof of a house following the storm.  As
the days and nights go past, a story is told of the relationships of these
men.  It also gives a glimpse of life before the catastrophe and maybe an
insight into what is to come.



Willimon was the recipient of the Lila Acheson Wallace Julliard Playwriting
Fellowship and the Lincoln Center Le Compte du Nuoy Award.  He is best
known for his play FARRAGUT NORTH which was adapted into the film THE IDES
OF MARCH, which starred George Clooney.



LOWER NINTH is a she slice of life story which centers on Bible-quoting
Malcolm, and E-Z, the son of the woman he lived with for many years.  The
duo are sweltering on a house roof waiting to be saved from the sea of
contaminated water that surrounds them.  Though their backgrounds are only
hinted at, we gain a base understanding of each man.  The connection seems
to grow as they become more and more desperate.  Also on the roof is
Lowboy, a friend of E-Z’s, whose body was dragged out of the water in a
failed attempt to save him.



The play, which is getting its area debut, does hold the viewers interest,
but it is not extremely well developed.  It is more a series of character
studies rather than having a focused story with a beginning, middle and end.
The themes are not clear, the motivations are only hinted at, and it is
difficult to clearly state the play’s purpose.



Ensemble’s production, under the focused direction of Celeste Cosentino, is
well paced, and the inclusion of visual images of clouds, sun and overcast
skies, helps in building the tedious and sweltering mood of life on the
roof.  Steve Vasse-Hansell’s rooftop set gives a clear image of the
isolation of the characters from the rest of the world.



William Clarence Marshall fully develops the role of Malcolm.  He shows us
a man who has found God, and transferred from a hinted-at history of
abandoned accountability and social transgressions, to a person who has
assumed his responsibilities.



E-Z, is a conflicted young soul, who appears to have had little male
guidance and doesn’t really know who he is.  He covers his insecurities
with pseudo-macho mannerisms and ghetto language. J’Vaughn T. Briscoe
fleshes out the role well.



Lowboy, was a drug dealer who had once saved E-Z from a school yard
beating, thus earning life-long respect from the boy.   Joseph Primes makes
the most of a character whose motivations aren’t clearly etched.

*CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:  LOWER NINTH gives the viewer an insight into life in
New Orleans immediately following Katrina.  Though it gets a good
production at Ensemble, it isn’t a well developed piece of theatrical
literature.  It’s worth seeing to gain an understanding of a topic that has
not been showcased on stage.*

LOWER NINTH runs Thursdays through Sundays until February 9 at Ensemble
Theatre, now housed in Coventry School, 2843 Washington Blvd, Cleveland
Heights.  For tickets call 216-321-2930 or go online to
www.ensemble-theatre.org

*Roy Berko's reviews and comments can be found at www.royberko.info and
on-line at coolcleveland.com, arts america, and broadwayworld.com*
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