On Saturday, our English class went to the Playhouse Theatre to see
the showcase of In the Brown and Red
Water. I have seen a Broadway production and a few high school productions
but I have never been to a play or performance at Penn State. I was unsure of
what to expect in a college level production. Was it going to be more similar
to high school or more professional like Broadway? The play began with the cast
on stage. I did not read a summary of the play prior to seeing it, which was
probably a bad idea because I was a little confused. The music and choreography
looked very spiritual and African. On the other hand, the language and tone of
the characters seemed more American. The story was about a teenage girl, Oyá, living in the projects of Louisiana. Oyá is an exceptional runner and “The Man from
State” even offers her a college scholarship – away from the poverty and poor
lifestyle. However, due to her mother’s, Mama Moja, illness, Oyá has to turn down this opportunity. This is a
huge let down because this is a dream and once in a lifetime chance. When Mama
Moja dies early in the play, Oyá’s
life seems to spin out of control . As the play goes on, we follow Oyá as she becomes a woman and the choices she
makes that impact her life. Oyá deals with
normal adolescent experiences, like love and relationships. She is uncertain of
whom she is and where life is going to take her. The boys of the projects woo
over Oyá – they constantly
pursue her. Shango, her first love, leaves her to go off to war. She then
settles with a longtime friend, Ole Goo. Oyá knows that Ole Goo is not her soul mate, but she feels like she
has no other choice. Every time Shango comes to visit, Oyá falls in love with him all over again. Oyá desperately wants to have a baby, but neither
boy is able to get her pregnant. Towards the end of the play, Oyá finds out that Shango impregnated Shun, a girl
from the projects. Devastated, Oyá, cuts off her ear and gives it to Shango as a gift to remember
her by.
In the Brown and Red Water was very
different than any other play I have seen before because each character
narrated their selves. For example if Shango oentered the stage he would
announce, “Shango enters the stage.” There was a lot of singing and dancing
which was absolutely fantastic. I found out that the girl who played Mama Moja,
Aquila Kikora Franklin, also choreographed the entire production. I loved the
dancing scenes because it was so exotic. The dancing was very tribal-like and
wild. The actors were such good dancers and the music was terrific. On the side
stage, you could see the little 3-person band with their instruments.
I
have to admit, however, that the play was extremely confusing and strange. The
dialogue was very raunchy talking about oral sex and whatnot. I was sitting
next to an elderly woman which was extremely awkward, yet kind of amusing. I
have never seen a play before that was so uncensored.
Overall, my experience
at the Playhouse Theatre went well. I enjoy performances of all kinds and this
was definitely entertaining. I do believe that In The Brown and Red Water closely resembled a Broadway production,
more so than a high school one. Even though the stage set up never changed, the
acting was very professional. It was an amazing experience and I will
definitely go back to see another play!
