Latest news with #DetroitRepertoryTheatre
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Detroit Public Theatre's 'Confederates' examines struggles of Black women in America
There is much to love and learn in 'Confederates,' Detroit native and Tony-nominated playwright Dominique Morisseau's thoughtful deep dive into racism and gender bias in the dual American institutions of slavery and academia, running through March 16 at Detroit Public Theatre. The glaringly obvious problems inherent to slavery are shown through the eyes of Sarah, who has lived her entire life on a plantation and has had enough and decides to take action. Her story runs parallel with that of Sandra, a modern-day, tenured professor at a mostly white private university; through Sandra's tale, we zoom in on the great cracks that remain in today's society when it comes to Black women. Sarah's story is the more straightforward: Bright and savvy enslaved woman chooses rebellion – will she succeed? It's incredible how much mileage Morisseau gets from this, and how much new material she mines from a format even the script itself acknowledges audiences have seen many times. Sandra's is something more complicated, for she appears to 'have it all.' An obviously free woman with a highly respected career, she finds herself locked in another kind of cage. A cleverly done mystery is woven through her side of the plot, and you're never sure whether it will even be solved or not. Is it solved in the end? Is the solution really the point? See also: Detroit Opera's joyful 'Rinaldo' a whimsical, wonderful delight: Review More: 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' at Detroit Repertory Theatre delivers a solid performance In weaving this double narrative spanning more than a century, Morisseau peels back layer after layer on the struggles of Black women in America and their 'damned-if-you-do' existence that, at the root, hasn't fundamentally changed nearly as much as one might believe. Systemic issues that constantly hold them back from true freedom or greatness remain in place, they just exist in more insidious ways in the modern era. Skillfully directed by Goldie E. Patrick, the two leads are impeccable. As the exasperated Sandra, Whitney Johnson delivers steely elegance and unleashes, simmering rage. As the fiery Sarah, Rebecca Rose Mims gives a raw, knowing, quippy performance. Both women stand on the shoulders of a uniformly quality ensemble. The dynamic Vanessa Mazhangara pulls off two different roles – an opportunistic slave and Sandra's treacherous coworker – with such skill that it feels like two completely different actresses. The hysterical Meredith Parker steals scene after scene with a wildly campy double performance, particularly memorable as the master's clueless daughter in the Civil War scenes. (Her shrill, plaintive wails are still ringing in my head.) And Will Street, a familiar face in Detroit theater, shines brightly with his layered work as Malik, Sandra's combative student, and Abner, Sarah's brother. Moníka Essen's practical set is simplistic but serves the action well. A beautiful touch is the cotton plants that wrap around the stage and walls on both the past and present sides, indicating that the true struggle has not yet ended. As with the Black experience in full, laughter, tears, and abject horror stroll hand in hand in 'Confederates.' It's a thrilling time in the theater. 'Confederates' runs through March 16 at Detroit Public Theatre, 3960 3rd Ave. Tickets are $49 and can be purchased at Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Public Theatre's 'Confederates' examines struggles of Black women
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Meadow Brook Hall launches donor club to replace vandalized stained-glass windows
A bit of regional history was shattered on Feb. 4 when an attack of vandalism destroyed some of the historic stained-glass windows at Rochester's Meadow Brook Hall. In response, Meadow Brook launched The 1929 Club this week, an all-new giving program where members can commit to donating $19.29 monthly. Named for the year of Meadow Brook's founding, The 1929 Club will raise funds to support the care and preservation of the historic estate and its more than 75,000 artifacts. It also kicks off the major project of securing the necessary $35,000 to restore the stained-glass windows. Meadow Brook states that only 150 donors at the $19.29 per month (for one year) level are needed to meet the goal. The program is supported by Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett, who also joined as the club's inaugural member. 'As mayor of Rochester Hills, I take great pride in the unique gems that make our community special – and one of those is certainly Meadow Brook Hall, our nationally recognized historic venue located right down the street,' said Barnett. 'After the vandalism, we want to get Meadow Brook Hall looking beautiful and back on its feet as quickly as possible. I'm asking you today to consider joining me as an inaugural member of The 1929 Club.' See also: 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' at Detroit Repertory Theatre delivers a solid performance Meadow Brook recently secured a substantial grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to restore the stained glass windows and complete important window improvement projects – including replacing UV filters to protect the furnishings and collection – this spring. Because of this work, Meadow Brook possesses detailed etchings and images that will help restore the windows to their original design. Unfortunately, the cost to repair the damage to the windows is estimated at $35,000 above and beyond what was allotted by the grant, hence the advent of The 1929 Club. The historic stained-glass windows were custom-created and designed for the estate's two-story Gothic-inspired ballroom. They depict scenes of the arts, including music, literature, entertainment, and drama. The windows were designed so they could be viewed without distortion from both sides (inside and outside), which is slightly unusual because stained glass is typically viewed best from the inside and not the exterior. The stained-glass windows are original to the historic mansion, which is 95 years old. To make a gift to Meadow Brook or to join The 1929 Club, visit Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Meadow Brook Hall donor club to replace vandalized stained glass
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' at Detroit Repertory Theatre delivers a solid performance
Detroit Repertory Theatre continues its exploration of legendary playwright August Wilson's Century Cycle with 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,' a work especially well known to many since 2020's Netflix adaptation starring Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman. During the freezing winter of 1927, 'Mother of the Blues' Gertrude 'Ma' Rainey and her band struggle to record a few new songs in a rundown Chicago studio. Egos and tempers clash, and lives are changed in a mostly solid production that's proven very popular with local audiences. The real meat on the bones of this premise is the interactions between Ma's four sidemen as they prepare for and work their way through the gig. Their bickering, reminiscing, storytelling and wisecracking form the majority of the show's content, and the four actors portraying them here – Antoine McKay (Cutler), T. Pharoah Muhammad (Toledo), Will Bryson (Slow Drag) and Evan Lewis Smith (Levee) – display a great, lived-in chemistry together. Muhammad's world-weary Toledo is a treat, and Smith shows great range in an iconic role without chewing the scenery. And it's always an embarrassment of riches when Detroit Rep regulars McKay and Bryson share the stage together; their hilarious back-and-forth jabbing shows the mark of an excellent comedic duo, but they bring the fire and fury when things turn serious. Melanie Jones does some terrific singing as Ma, but lacks some of the booming force that's needed from the character. It's a pleasure to see X'ydee Alexander again after her great work in Detroit Public Theatre's 'Fat Ham' earlier this season, but she's given sadly little to do here as Dussie Mae, Ma's kept girl. In his Rep stage debut, James Herriotte give a warm and winning performance as Sylvester, Ma's nephew with an unfortunate speech impediment. Matt Hollerbach (recently seen in the Rep's 'Between Riverside and Crazy') and Jeff Nahan make a humorous duo as Irvin and Sturdyvant, the beleaguered and possibly shady duo trying to wrangle the circus of characters. You can practically smell the stale air in the recording studio of Jamie Hope's well-done set, and costumer Sandra Landfair Glover ensures everyone looks period-perfect. Cassaundra Freeman's direction varies when it comes to pacing, which stretches the show to nearly three hours with intermission, and also with movement, frequently stranding the ensemble in the same locations for very long periods, creating static energy; it's unusual to watch someone give a lengthy and impassioned rant while firmly planted in one spot. With such agitation among the characters, one wants more movement as the tension amps. Still, as the action careens toward a devastating conclusion that feels somehow inevitable, quality performances bring it home. One wonders what might be done to help with audience etiquette at the Rep, however. Talkative viewers and active cell phones tend to be a regular issue, but a recent matinee performance of 'Ma Rainey' was so rife with audience chatter and frequent cell phone noises that the actors were clearly thrown off their game a few times and the audience had to be admonished by theater admin before the second act. (Which didn't stop yet another phone from ringing – at length – during Act Two.) The Rep is a valuable community asset worth supporting. Which means it's worth supporting politely so that all present may enjoy its offerings. 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,' currently one of the hottest tickets in town, is sold out for all remaining performances. But standby rush seating is available for every performance, and thus far, no one has been turned away. To purchase rush tickets, you must be present in the lobby one hour before a performance, check in at the lobby box office, and ask to put your name on the standby list. Closer to showtime, tickets for any open seats are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are $30. Performances continue through March 2. Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Review: 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' at Detroit Repertory Theatre
