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Regional Reviews: Philadelphia Mud Row
The plot centers around two generations of sisters and their house in the historically black neighborhood of West Chester, Pennsylvania, known as Mud Row. Elsie (Tiffany Rachelle Stewart) and Frances (Gillian Glasco) struggle to find acceptance and empowerment in the early 1960s. Frances embraces the civil rights movement while Elsie gleefully espouses the ideology of W.E.B. DuBois, yet both are isolated from their local community. Regine (Nikkole Salter) and Toshi (Renika Williams) and their men (Bjorn DuPaty and Eric Robinson Jr.) are trying to come to terms with each other and their legacy in the present day. The entire cast is magnificent, with especially memorable performances by Stewart and Salter. Steve H. Broadnax III's direction is smart and his production worthy of this exciting new work. Kathy Perkins' stellar lighting makes the transitions between time periods seamless and brings Michael Carnahan's thoughtful set design to life. Shilla Benning's impeccable costumes are spot-on in both the past and present. There is some room for improvement with regard to the music that plays during the transitions, but that is more missed opportunity than problem. Mud Row was commissioned by People's Light as part of New Play Frontiers, a project designed to generate new work by matching playwrights with local communities. Dominique Morisseau was not yet a Tony-nominated writer or MacArthur Foundation "Genius Grant" recipient when she was tapped for the program, but it was an undoubtedly brilliant match. Morisseau's writing is rich and authentic. Tense, heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring, Mud Row pulses with the the love Morisseau feels for her characters and the real life people who inspire them. Mud Row, through July 28, 2019, at People's Light, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern PA. For tickets call 610-644-3500 or visit www.peopleslight.org. Cast: Crew: |
