A Union of Misfit Souls
This stirring
production, playing to a full house on the opening night of their 36th
successful season, is written by Dominique Morisseau and directed by William
(Bill) Earl Ray. It is playing at their
space, 1515 SW Morrison St., through September 30th. For more information, go to their site at www.artistsrep.org or call 503-241-1278.
Morisseau is a worthy
scribe, in the vain of many fine writers of their extended neighborhoods,
including shades of Studs Turkel (Chicago), a wee dose of Damon Runyon
(Brooklyn) and a worthy tribute to the late, great, August Wilson
(Philly). She exemplifies her town,
Detroit, and the plight of its characters, as those other fine authors
did. And she does it very, very well!
We all probably have
had love/hate relationships with our jobs and the people who have worked beside
us, much like the ups and downs in an extended (perhaps, somewhat
dysfunctional) family. And, in this
case, they may be one of the last vestiges of a dying industry, the automobile
factory. Morisseau’s title, “Skeleton
Crew,” seems to refer to a minimum group of trained individuals trying
valiantly to keep up with the demands of a slowing economy. Or, maybe, it also reflects the motley
gathering of individuals, stripped to the bone emotionally, as they feel their
lives being sucked out of them.
The opening, and
subsequent occasional scenes, are powerful, as you visualize silhouettes of
individuals (Jeff George, Leslie North and McKensie Rummel) moving to the organic/orgasmic
rhythms, in dance-like movements (choreographer, Kemba Shannon), reflecting the
stresses and precision of working on an assembly line. A direct homage to Charlie Chaplin’s terrific
film of the 30’s, “Modern Times,” detailing artistically, the birth of the
Industrial Revolution.
The story is
character-driven by four individuals representing, in a way, a microcosm of
America. It all takes place in the
breakroom of an automobile factory in Detroit.
There is the Foreman of the group, Reggie (Bobby Bermea) a
representative of the management of the company, a caring man who sometimes has
a difficult job on his hands, when attempting to herd his flock. He also has a personal connection to Faye
(Shelley B. Shelley), an employee for almost 30 years and the union
representative. She is outspoken and
fair, but has her own set of burdens on a personal level to deal with, too.
Then, there are the
younger members of the clan, Dez (Vin Shambry), who is a hard-worker but a
rebel. He has dreams of owning his own
garage with his son but seems remote to the rest when dealing with his own
personal feelings. There is also Shanita
(Tamera Lyn), who loves her job and has probably the most spotless record in
the company of all the employees. She
has dreams of having a family and retiring from the company in years to
come. They all, like a mirror, reflect
recognizable individuals in our own worlds.
I can’t tell you more
of the story because much of it is learned as you witness it unfold before your
eyes. But, trust me, it is quite
illuminating and very engrossing, well directed by Ray, who has chosen an
exemplar cast and seems to be in touch with an actor’s processes in developing
a character, as well as precisely representing the voice of the author. The same can be said for Shannon and her
dancers.
And what a cast! Lyn is both heart-breaking and exasperating,
at times, as she goes through changes in her own life, as well as the factory’s. Shambry accurately reflect the restlessness
of a man who seems to have “a rocket in his pocket” but also seems to enjoy his position of “putting it out there” when no one
else will. And Bermea, as the conflicted
“Sargent” of the troop, is marvelous in his portrayal of a good man seeing
wrong and at odds when trying to “toe the line.” And Shelley is stunning as the “conscience”
of the pack, a woman with her own baggage forced, because of her good-hearted
nature, to shoulder burdens of others as well.
Very beautifully performed.
I highly recommend
this production. If you do choose to see
it, please tell them Dennis sent you.
--DJS
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