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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Karamu’s <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Yellowman </I>sheds light on
darkness<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Bob
Abelman<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">News-Herald,
Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times
Courier<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Member,
International Association of Theatre Critics <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">This
review appeared in the <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Times </I>papers<I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"> </I>11/19/09</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><FONT size=3><SPAN lang=EN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN">In
a recent interview with <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">American
Theatre</I> magazine, contemporary playwright Dael Orlandersmith was asked to
comment on her propensity for portraying lives torn apart by </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">poverty, racism and substance
abuse.</SPAN><SPAN lang=EN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">"There is humanity within a bleak
story,” she suggested. “We find that humanity by exposing the darkness.”
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN">Exposing
the darkness is, quite literally, at the very heart of her critically acclaimed
play <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Yellowman,</I> currently on stage at
Karamu Theatre.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The characters that
fill this drama are black, yet it quickly becomes clear that they are either too
black or not black enough.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN">This
play reveals the </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">racial prejudice that
exists within the African-American Gullah culture in the Sea Islands of South
Carolina.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Self-loathing is
ingrained in generations of darker-skinned Blacks, who cannot escape the genetic
ties to their slave stock.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They
despise themselves, but have a particular hatred for lighter-skinned Blacks—the
“high yellows”—who they believe are afforded privilege because of their
lightness and see themselves as superior as a result.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN lang=EN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN">Although
<I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Yellowman</I> is a drama, this play comes
across as if it was a musical.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It
consists of </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">richly
descriptive monologues that are variations on a common theme: the dark side of
darkness.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The monologues alternate
between characters, woven together by connective dialogue and written as if they
were jazz riffs.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Each
has its own underlying rhythm—a musicality, a def poetry—that entices its
performers to almost sing their lines.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Words and phrases, often repeated for emphasis, are delivered as if they
are half-notes and quarter-notes, and come adorned with melodic </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Geechee <SPAN
style="COLOR: #333333">accents that add their own unique cadence.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Director
Fred Sternfeld—no stranger to musical theatre—is sensitive to these rhythms and
the creative potential of their synchrony.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>He allows them to play out and masterfully orchestrates the pieces and
parts of this production.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>His
actors, Kyle Primous and Kristi Little, are both accomplished
choreographers.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As </SPAN><SPAN
lang=EN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN">the
light-skinned Eugene and the dark-skinned Alma</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">,
they move gracefully and unabashedly on stage, as if engaged in
dance.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN">Mr.
Primous and Ms. Little play multiple parts as they narrate Eugene and Alma’s
progression from childhood to adulthood, from being friends to becoming
lovers.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They are brilliant.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Every emotion rings true.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Every character is complex and
distinctive.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Their depictions of
alcoholic, psychologically abusive parents are particularly riveting, and their
Eugene and Alma are thoroughly endearing and engaging creations.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">This
play is about the </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">African-American
Gullah experience.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Yet, who has not
at some point in their lives attempted to physically distinguish themselves from
their heritage?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Who has not sought
an identity that does not share a mother’s voice, assume a father’s posture or
repeat a family’s immigrant inclinations?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Who has not learned the hard way that escaping the darkness—whatever that
darkness might be—is just not possible?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: #333333"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN lang=EN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN">Yellowman</SPAN></I><SPAN
lang=EN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN">
is a beautifully written tale told on a bare stage with care and
creativity.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is a wonderful
piece of theater that continues until November 22 at the Karamu Performing Arts
Theatre in </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Cleveland's
</SPAN><SPAN lang=EN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN">nearby
</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Fairfax
neighborhood</SPAN><SPAN lang=EN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN">.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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