Review: UPRISING Premieres at MetroStage

UPRISING, premiering at MetroStage, is a powerful and engaging work that asks what choices we make to ensure freedom and for what would we sacrifice it.

Set in the aftermath of abolitionist John Brown's failed 1859 raid, a fugitive finds assistance in a free black community near the Mason-Dixon line. Sal had been satisfied with her world - her speed and determination earned the funds that might one day make it possible for her to start a school to benefit her adopted son Freddy. The community had an ease and collegiality, yet all this is threatened when she stumbles upon the revolutionary in a nearby field. The fugitive, Ossie, attempts to persuade Sal to seek freedom in Canada but Sal insists that she is already a free woman. But when fears of the white citizens lead to an increasingly dire situation, Sal is forced to reconsider all she knows about freedom and self-determination.

Cynthia D. Barker as Sal is the play's beating heart. Smart, committed and driven, she is focused on creating a good life for Freddie. Sal is a richly multi-faceted character and Barker shows us her humor, her fiery temper and her depth of compassion. Barker's face in particular is so animated and arresting, the audience is drawn in at once, eager for more.

Sal is challenged by the appearance of Ossie - Osborne Perry Anderson, the Oberlin College-educated abolitionist and the only surviving African American member of John Brown's raid. Ossie, with a price on his head, is a threat to the community that shelters him after he flees Harpers Ferry. Ossie sees Sal as a powerful recruit to the movement, although his interest in her is not limited solely to the political cause. Helen Hayes-nominated Anthony Manough, who originated the role this summer in Atlanta, brings us an Ossie of charisma and intensity.

The strong ensemble weaves a strong sense of community. Enoch King as Bo-Jack originated his role in the Horizon Theatre production this summer in Atlanta; like Manough (Ossie) and Barker (Sal) he reprises his role in the MetroStage production. Our hearts go out to Bo-Jack for his dreams including his shy and unrequited love for Sal. (His love ballad for Sal is a great light moment.) Doug Brown as Charlie Pick gives strength and authority to the small band. Pete Boyer (as Whistle and Hopper) and Roz White (as Lottie and Miss Ellen May) do wonderful jobs in their dual roles; they are distinct and memorable in each character. A lot rests on the small shoulders of Jeremiah Hasty as the young boy, Freddie, whom Sal has adopted. Hasty, in his first professional role, does a wonderful job - like Sal, we want to do all we can to protect and guide him from the moment we see him on stage.

MetroStage Artistic Associate Thomas W. Jones II directs the powerful work. Jones also directed this summer's production of the work at Atlanta's Horizon Theatre Company. The director had been involved in a previous workshop version of UPRISING and brought the script to the attention of MetroStage Producing Artistic Director Carolyn Griffin as a strong offering for this fall's Women's Voices Theater Festival. MetroStage starts its season with this commanding rolling world premiere.

Programs like the Women's Voices Theater Festival and the National New Play Network - programs to encourage theatres to take the risk to present and nurture promising work - have worked their magic to ensure that a play as vibrant, rich and thought-provoking as Gabrielle Fulton's UPRISING are produced.

Not only was UPRISING staged earlier this summer in Atlanta but it has had earlier important workshops New York, Chicago and Kansas City. But UPRISING has never before been staged here in the shadow of Harpers Ferry and areas knit into the Underground Railroad. Our geography brings a resonance to the work that makes it especially critical for UPRISING to be staged in this community. Although this year marks 150 years since the end of the Civil War and the 13th Amendment's abolition of slavery, our nation continues to painfully struggle with the vestiges of our past. UPRISING helps us consider that legacy. Playwright Gabrielle Fulton began work on UPRISING as a graduate student at Northwestern University where she earned an MFA in Writing for Stage and Screen. The work has been honed through the Reiser Atlanta Artists Lab, the Lark Play Development Center and more. Fulton has a compelling voice and hopefully we will hear much more from her.

Music, which plays a critical role in UPRISING, is in the capable hands of Music Director William Knowles, who also served as music director for ANNE & EMMETT, GEE'S BEND (which earned him a Helen Hayes Award nomination) and COOL PAPA'S PARTY (for which he received a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Musical Direction). David Cole as "Tuneman" moves in and out of the action on stage leading the song with his blues guitar and often adding his soulful voice. During an earlier workshop of UPRISING in Atlanta, playwright Gabrielle Fulton received a grant expand the music. It is hard to imagine UPRISING without it. Voices join in camaraderie, anger, celebration or despair. In MetroStage's small house, the sound levels can be tricky depending upon the proximity to the large overhead speaker - at times it could be difficult to make out the lyrics over the blues guitar.

Smart and spare multi-level platforms designed by Robbie Hayes take us from cotton fields to Antebellum Philadelphia. Projections of antique photographs and other scenes add further fascinating layers of time and tone. But Director Thomas W. Jones II does not confine the action to the stage itself; actors filter on and off the stage and throughout the compact house. Janine Sunday's period costumes of earth tones punctuated by Sal's sunset orange had an ease and fluidity that became evident in the short dance sequences. Lanterns taken by the actors throughout the stage and into the house add wonderful note amid Alexander Keen's lighting design.

MetroStage's premiere of UPRISING is a polished and gripping story with believable characters in whom we are deeply invested.

Runtime: 2:15 with one 15-minute intermission

UPRISING is produced by MetroStage, 1201 North Royal Street in Alexandria through October 25. (Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8, Saturdays at 3 and 8, Sundays at 3 and 7.) For tickets, please visit the theatre's website here.

Photo Credit: Chris Banks. Top: Cynthia D. Barker and Anthony Manough. Center: Roz White, Doug Brown, Enoch King, Peter Boyer, Anthony Manough, Cynthia D. Barker. Lower: Jeremiah Hasty and Anthony Manough. Bottom: Roz White, Cynthia D. Barker, Jeremiah Hasty, Peter Boyer, Anthony Manough, Doug Brown, Enoch King.

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