BWW Reviews: STICK FLY at Arena Stage

Can magic score again at the Arena Stage? Wishful Drinking went from the Arena Stage to Broadway.

Next to Normal is still drawing crowds on Broadway (which I predicted).

Well, once again, I predict Stick Fly written by  emerging playwright Lydia R. Diamond and featuring a terrific ensemble should get a shot on  Broadway.  Director Kenny Leon has been there before having directed the Tony-winning revival of Lorraine Hansberry's classic A Raisin in the Sun, and two Tony-nominated productions of August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean and Radio Golf. Leon will return to Broadway directing Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in a new production of Fences beginning April 26 at the Cort Theatre.

Set Designer David Gallo is Tony winner with The Drowsy Chaperone. Lighting Designer Allen Lee Hughes has been on Broadway with Having Our Say and Once on This Island. Sound Designer Timothy J. Thompson worked on Jitney. Costume Designer may not as of yet been on Broadway but he is the recipient of two Helen Hayes Awards.

Gallo's set is outstanding. When the show begins, there are white sheets protecting the living room furniture in a huge summer home on Martha's Vineyard. There's a huge library (ten shelves high filled with books, modern art (including a Romare Bearden) on the walls, a kitchen with the latest silver appliances, with steps off the kitchen leading to a deck.

Cheryl (played by the terrific Amber Iman who I enjoyed in the Metro Stage production of The Stephen Schwartz Project is the daughter of the regular housekeeper who is subbing for her ailing mother. Cheryl is about to begin searching for a college to attend.

Joe LeVay (Wendell W. Wright, a member of the Arena Stage's former resident acting company) is the successful father of two sons, Kent (Jason Dirden) and Flip (Billy Eugene Jones). Joe, the patriarch of the family, is a neurosurgeon. His son Flip is a successful plastic surgeon (Is there any other kind?). Kent has been a professional student with degrees in law, business and sociology. His father reminds him who paid for all this. Finally, Kent has taken to writing a novel that he's very excited about.

Kent arrives at the summer home with his fiancé, Taylor (Nikkole Salter) who is also a doctor (doing her post-doctorate in entomology at Johns Hopkins who is studying houseflies). 

Flip announces to the family that his girl friend Kimber (Rosie Benton) is arriving shortly. Kimber teaches in an inner-city.

There it is. But, I've left out one important factor and that is the aspect of race.  All but Kimber are Black. And face it. When was the last play you saw any play about a Black family with this pedigree.

Sure the LeVays are affluent.  But sparks will fly and long-hidden secrets will be revealed. You may call the play a little bit of "Pride and Prejudice". Pride is certainly an issue as is prejudice. Race and class become pivotal issues.

It's a play filled with comedy and drama and board games. They play Scrabble, Backgammon, and Trivial Pursuit with a nice jazz score in the background.

It may just be a pet peeve of mine, but I didn't quite understand the dueling duets in a scene where people in the kitchen and people in the living room are both speaking the same lines at the same time.

I am so tempted to tell you what happens...but that may ruin the surprises that unfurl. Trust me, you will be surprised.

Do not miss this show. The entire ensemble is superb.

For my friends and relatives in Boston, the same production will be heading to the Huntington Theatre Company from April 3- May 9. Log onto www.huntingtontheatre.org.

Also check out the great Arena Stage web site at www.arena-stage.org for some great podcasts and videos.

If you are a fan of the artist Romare Bearden, visit Baltimore's Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African-American History and Culture to see an exhibit of his work until March 28. Call 443-263-1800 or visit www.africanamericanculture.org.

Next up at Arena Stage is the wonderful Tony-winning musical The Light in the Piazza playing March 5 through April 25.

Stick Fly runs through February 7 at the Arena Stage in Crystal City, VA. Call 202-488-3300.

For comments, write to cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

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