CRITIC’S PICK
It’s that time of year when the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park goes out on a limb to present a new work. They currently have a humdinger on the Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre stage, the world premiere of a script conceived and performed by Universes, a multi-cultural, multi-disciplined collective of artists and poets from New York City who have been producing intriguing, adventurous works of spoken word, music and movement since 1995.
The Playhouse’s commission is americUS, a work described by director Joan Herrington as “an exploration of what it means to be in America at this time — what our joys are, what our challenges are, and how we find our way in the midst of some very crazy days. Everything Universes does has contemporary relevance, and this piece is no different.”
The show opened in early February during a week encompassing the debacle of the Iowa caucuses, the contentious State of the Union address, the acquittal of the president in his impeachment trial in the Senate and more political, divisive fallouts resulting from all of these. Very crazy days, indeed. Although Universes’ subject matter is considerably more expansive.
Four performers deliver a tumultuous, nonstop, 100-minute collage that ranges across the political spectrum. Gamal Abdel Chasten, Asia Mark, Steven Sapp and Mildred Ruiz-Sapp, all actors of color, come onstage in spritely, exaggerated clown-like costumes to deliver a pulse-pounding opener designed to “expand your vision of what you see and what you can be.” They are outstanding vocal performers, and Chasten repeatedly provides rhythmic accompaniment in the form of beatbox, clapping or thumping on the platform floor to support their exaggerated movement and the powerful words they speak.
Their carnival attire comes on and off as various segments are brought to life and themes are explored. A sobering essay on “How to Be Black” is full of warnings about self-preservation that are at first commonsensical but gradually become more and more far-fetched. In another segment, they sing an adapted version of “Home on the Range,” which turns that ballad’s optimistic lyrics into dire observations.
Ruiz-Sapp, the co-founder of Universes with Steven Sapp, is a powerful storyteller and singer. We learn how her father made her tough enough to defend herself. Later she renders a heartfelt monologue about a mother coping with the notice of an active shooter at her children’s school. She extols the heroism of a student who lost his life, and she grapples with how his mother must feel. Mark underscores this mixed-message tragedy with a repeated chorus: “I can’t be Superman/I just came here to learn.”
Another segment focuses on immigrants. The green-tinted Statue of Liberty, who welcomes refugees “yearning to breathe free,” is repositioned as a “woman of color.” Lines from Emma Lazarus’s memorable poem about accepting “the homeless, tempest-tost” and lifting “my lamp beside the golden door” are woven into ironic observations about the current state of people seeking refuge in America. That story precedes Chasten’s monologue of a homeless veteran who is forced to relocate his temporary quarters once again to make way for yet another urban condo.
There are lighter moments in americUS, although they are rendered with a sharp political edge. Mark sets forth a recipe for “im-PEACH-ment pie,” handing mixing bowls to the other three as she delineates ingredients — collusion, lies — that are all too familiar in light of recent political turmoil.
The show has unbelievable momentum. The actors are constantly in motion from start to finish: Even when one is delivering a monologue, the others are generally providing vocal support or sonic punctuation.
For all of its pointing to challenges our nation faces, americUS concludes with the quartet at center stage asking if we’re up to the job of creating a better place. “Let’s begin,” Sapp says, as they jointly, gently blow out the lights. Parts of this production that are delivered bluntly and full of raw emotions rooted in injustice will be hard for some to watch, but by weaving together so many perspectives, the show is likely to inspire greater understanding.
The world premiere of Universes’ americUS, presented by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, continues through March 8. For more info, visit cincyplay.com.
This article appears in Feb 5-18, 2020.
