A one-man show that seemingly encompasses many. It is a new day, new ways, new media with the COVID-19 pandemic. This easy-going laid-back play is in your face, virtually, and drags you into the story willingly and happily. There is deep soulful singing and a poetic embroidered narrative, rich in style and as real or surreal as it can be on a virtual stage. Emotions flow as the video streams and the actor opens their heart and soul for us all to see, experience and enjoy.
Donnetta Lavinia Grays is bigger than life, bigger than this virtual reality and literally jumps off the screen and right into our isolated spaces to expand our horizons and touch us with thought. The narrative is raw and real with a virtual entourage of characters and a narrative that explodes upon the screen and allows us to emote from within. Multiple characters and stories/fables abound, beautiful people all, with soulful language and song, some down on their luck individuals and one which is laden in gold and flowing with confidence and ire. The narrator character joins in from time and again to bring us back from Oz as it were.
It is a fable-like, waiting for Godot style play,
Tamilla Woodard uses the empty theater with a density that you can feel as the camera angles and the actor guide each viewer to create a virtual world whereupon these characters live. It is a fable-like, waiting for Godot style play, with a spartan set that allows the viewer to create their very own background set design — the mind is the limit. This is a whimsical journey through life and time with many interesting characters appearing and dissipating on command.
Nehemiah Luckett’s musical direction and dramaturge set a musical stage from the beginning and addresses the narrative with soul and power. One thing that one learns in theater is that if you don’t notice it, it is designed correctly. This goes for the lighting designer Christina Watanobe, the scenic designer Claire Deliso and the costume Designer Ntokoso Fuzunina Kunene.
To me, this opens a new creative outlet in a new age of media creation, wherein an empty stage can be fully streamed and also be brimming with so much action, life and energy.
Running Time: 1 hour 20 minutes.
“Where We Stand”, streaming access will be available for your viewing pleasure until 4/23/2020. Click here for more information.
