By Richard Pacheco
David Mamet has built a reputation
as one of the most provocative and visceral contemporary playwrights. This play continues that tradition of his
that dates back to plays like “American Buffalo” and “Glengarry Glen Ross” with
its stimulating look at three attorneys, two black and one white who are
confronted with the chance to defend at high profile case of a wealthy white
man charged with raping a black woman. The case and its quest for more and more
evidence to prove their client’s innocence ignites their own deep feelings
about race and how they and others fit into it in society.
The play, the third in Ocean
State’s presentations, marks the Rhode
Island premiere of this Mamet work. The work shows
the Pulitzer Prize winning Mamet’s carefully crafted dialogue, full of spark
and passion. The play opened on Broadway where he directed it in 2009 and
reveals Mamet’s attitude towards contemporary attitudes regarding race. In a
New York Times op-ed published at the time, Mamet stated his intention for the
play to be a part of the nation’s racial discourse, alongside such historical
events as the 2008 presidential election, which saw Barack Obama sworn into
office as the nation’s first black president, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the
Dred Scott decision. This play examines the self-consciousness that descends on
American white people when they talk about, or to, black people.
The question of Strickland’s guilt
leads to a larger examination of cultural conscience and race paranoia. All the
while Mr. Mamet delivers a topical detective story, with sequins among the
prime evidentiary clues. There are many twists and turns here along the way.
Christopher Swan is Jack Lawson the
white attorney. It is the most fully written character in the play. He shifts
from superciliousness to boyish charm to volcanic anger with equal skill and
finesse. This is a man who tried being poor once, but didn’t like it. He is
used to having the upper hand and you can see him shift gears when his
attitudes and opinions are questioned or challenged.
Damron Russel Armstrong is the
black attorney, Henry Brown. He is boisterous, outspoken and passionate, but at
times the role seems almost a caricature of racial antagonism. Mr. Armstrong is
energetic and passionate, at times too much so. He makes us feel an
appropriately icky mix of guilt and shame, evasiveness, defensiveness and
self-righteousness.
The character of Susan the young
black associate of the firm might evoke the cry of Mamet detractors that in
writing women he makes them naïve and ultimately self serving and devious and
you will find that here. Nakeisha Daniel handles the role with an almost mousy
beginning that grows into more passion and vehemence. She is at times too restrained in the
beginning and the transition does not seem to grow which has much to do with
the writing.
Sean Maguire is the white client,
Charles Strickland. He is a man with a
confused and messy past. Despite that he is a man of overriding self confidence
and arrogance, pompous wherever he can be. Mr. Maguire is convincing in the
role evoking the right mixture of a man concerned about his choices and yet
still overbearing and pompous, self righteous.
Though the first act of “Race” is
propelled by barbed one-liners, its second act offers reassuring evidence of
Mr. Mamet’s sharp intelligence. And the issues it raises, particularly on the varieties
of shame and the universal nature of guilt are countless.
“You want to tell me about black
folks?” says Henry, baiting the distressed but indignant Charles as the play
begins. There follows a list of the stereotypes that dare not speak their name
when it comes to the contemplation of African-Americans by their Caucasian
counterparts, and Mr. Mamet runs with increasingly elaborate riffs on that
theme. Mamet has said that the "theme is race and the lies we tell each
other on the subject."
It is directed with an eye towards pacing
and passion by artistic director Amiee Turner.
The scenic design by Kimberly V.
Powers delivers a chic look at a fancy attorney office with some nice details.
It is always a pleasure to see a
premiere and this is no exception. There are twists and turns here, and Mamet’s
searing language.
"Race" (27 March - 14 April)
@ 1245
Jefferson Boulevard,, WARWICK
RI
1(401)921-6800
No comments:
Post a Comment