Review: BLACKBERRY DAZE at MetroStage

BLACKBERRY DAZE at MetroStage isn't quite sure what it wants to be. Or maybe better said, I don't quite agree with the musical's summary.

The world premiere written by Ruth P. Watson and Thomas W. Jones II, with music by William Knowles, is a whodunit Great War period piece based on Watson's novel "Blackberry Days of Summer."

To me, this isn't really a mystery. When you make it to the end of the show, sure there is a mystery. You could be asking, who killed the town womanizer, Herman Camm (TC Carson)? Could it be his wife, Mae Lou (Roz White), her daughter, Carrie (Ayana Reed) or the other woman, Pearl (Yvette Spears)? You definitely could be asking those questions.

I wasn't, but don't mistake that as a bad thing.

Without giving too much of the story away, I was far more interested in the interpersonal relationships among these characters. I was asking questions about the time period and how that impacted the given circumstances of the piece. I was asking questions of these characters that I could see asked in present day media headlines. Even though the storyline confused me after the fact, it nonetheless resonated.

Under the direction of Jones and the sensational music of Knowles, these actors shined. They understood the paths that led their characters to the present. Everyone sang beautifully and acted with substance. Carson played one of those characters that at the end of the show, you would much rather "boo" than clap for. The choreography was very creative. Considering the discussion of somewhat sensitive topics, Jones found interesting ways to unveil events.

Also, the set was really cool. All wood, it gave the feeling of an old American plantation home. Moving projection screens fit into the style of the set. They also helped to create boundaries and locations on stage.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I do find it interesting that the play summary doesn't quite fit into my understanding of what I saw. BLACKBERRY DAZE is a very impressive and energetic piece of theater. Maybe this disconnect means nothing at all, or just something else to think about.

BLACKBERRY DAZE is at MetroStage through October 9. For tickets, call 703.548.9044 or visit metrostage.org.

Runtime is about 1 hour and 50 minutes with a 20 minute intermission.

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