“Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992” by Anna Deavere Smith and directed by Paige Hernandez presented by Rep Stage is now playing at the Studio Theatre of the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center at Howard Community College. The play is a one woman show that originally featured the playwright and opened in New York City where it was nominated for a Tony Award and won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding One-Person Show. The play focuses primarily on the riots following the Rodney King verdict of not guilty for the four policemen involved in his beating. It consists of many interviews from well known politicians, for example, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), to victims, for instance, Reginald Denny, probably the most famous.
The playwright does not ever state her own point of view but allows the many interviewees to express their thought via the characterizations of the actress, in this production eloquently expressed by the multi-talented Danielle A. Drakes. (For more on Ms. Drakes, check out our “A Quick 5” interview with her.) Drakes under Hernandez’s deft direction changes her persona in the blink of an eye. She seamlessly goes from rioter (Keith Watson) to victim (Mrs. June Park) from Chief of Police, Daryl Gates to Organizer of Watts Gang Truce, Twilight Bey. Although her individual portrayals are all extraordinary, particularly moving is her portrayal of Elvira Evers a Hispanic immigrant, working to support her family, who was shot while she was pregnant, and somehow made it to the hospital and survived.
Also gripping is the interview with Korean immigrant Mrs. June Park whose husband was shot at point-blank range. (There was great animus between the African-American and Korean-American community for several years both before and after riots. There is ample evidence that the latter was targeted during the riots.) Drakes also does a superb job in recreating the more well-known personalities, like Rep. Waters, former Sen. Bill Bradley (D-NJ), Cornell West, scholar, Gates and Stanley K. Sheinbaum, Former President of LAPD. However, the most searing portrayal may be the one of Maria, Juror #7, who sat on the jury of the Federal Trial that found two of the policemen guilty of Civil Rights violations. It gives insight into the injustice of the Simi Valley Trial that set off the riots.
Without proselytizing Ms. Smith, who was born in Baltimore, makes us look at our recent history of race relations in a light that will make you think about how far and how little we have traveled as a nation since 1992.
Hernandez’s use of stage space and multi-level blocking keeps this show visually appealing and helps create wonderful lasting images. In particular, the scene with Juror # 7 is superbly staged to create a feeling of discord, anger and apathy. The use of the balcony level platform, where Mr. Denny, Paul Parker, Free the L.A. Four Plus Defense Committee (for rioters accused and later tried) and Mrs. Park gives their interviews, vividly explains the divide in the Los Angeles communities at the time.
The Scenic Design by Debra Kim Sivigny and the Lighting and Projection Design by Sarah Tundermann helps create the chaos and the historical significance of that place in time. They use multiple screens not only to let us know who is speaking through Drakes but to create the mood of the times. Jessica Welch’s Costume Design allows the actress to change quickly from one character to another.
“Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992” ends with some optimism but also with a sense of loss of innocence. Let us remember this incident was one of the first nationally viewed footages of police brutality, expressly against African-Americans. We have had verdicts in favor of the police that has been questioned since then. We have had riots after now easily taped footages are shown even in Baltimore. Things may have gotten a little better in Los Angeles, but this subject still plagues our communities all over the county.
Without proselytizing Ms. Smith, who was born in Baltimore, makes us look at our recent history of race relations in a light that will make you think about how far and how little we have traveled as a nation since 1992.
Running Time: One hour and 55 minutes with an intermission.
Advisory: “Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992” may not be suitable for younger children due to verbally graphic violence and strong language.
“Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992” plays at Rep Stage through March 17, 2019, in the Studio Theatre of the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center at Howard Community College — 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, in Columbia, MD. For tickets, call the box office at (443) 518-1500, or purchase them online.
