Skeleton Crew at Encore Theatre and Gallery

This is an engrossing performance that brims with rhythm and poetry, providing fresh meaning to what we know about the Motor City and humanity as a whole. In Skeleton Crew, four employees at Detroit's last tiny auto plant, a once-thriving factorythat is now barely staffed to run the assembly lines, experience the devastating repercussions of the 2008 crisis. Shanita, a pregnant young woman, braves motherhood on her own; while Dez, a smooth-talking, soon-to-be entrepreneur, explores riskier options. Despite news of other facilities closing and fears that theirs would be next, pride in their work, ambitions for the future, and a lack of other options keep them on the line. Reggie, the plant manager, is torn between his loyalty to his people and his job. Plant manager Reggie is pressed to maintain discipline, torn between his responsibilities to his team and his profession, as thieves target abandoned plants across the city. Skeleton Crew, described by the New York Times as "a very moral and deeply American play," addresses the casualties of commerce and the ordinary individuals whose lives are on the line.At the helm of the production is the Houston-based director Charnele Brown. Charnele is best known for her portrayal of Kim Reese, the pre-med student on the hit NBC sitcom A DIFFERENT WORLD. She was also one of the first Americans in The hit Broadway musical SARAFINA, which was nominated for a Tony Award. Charneles film credits includes: SPIKE LEES DROP SQUAD, THE KANGEROO, AND TENDRILS, which won 9 indie awards. Shes appeared on numerous hit sitcoms: GIRLFRIENDS, MY WIFE AND KIDS, LIVING SINGLE, OLIVER BEENE and MARTIN.