James X—Corrib Theatre—SE Portland

                 Original Sin?!

    This one-man, searing drama, starring Darius Pierce, is written by Gerard Mannix Flynn and directed by Gemma Whelan.  It is playing at the New Expressive Works space, 810 SE Belmont St., through March 1^st.  For more information, go to their site at www.corribtheatre.org

    Shakespeare espoused that fault lies within ourselves, not in our stars and, thus, is he in accordance with the Old Testament concept of Original Sin, that we are born with a burden to bear, before we have even taken our first breath.  That stain on our very being, from the outset, can pursue us for the rest of our days.  But, contrary to that belief, is one of Anne Frank’s final entries in her diary, before she died in a concentration camp, she wrote, “I still believe people are basically good.”  Despite proof to the opposite nowadays in world governments, I cling, perhaps naively, to this young girl’s view.

     But so much rides on how we are raised--nature/vs nurture views.  As James X (Darius Pierce) awaits his call to court, to offer his case, of being abused in government and religious institutions, he vomits out his story for us.  Seemingly aware of the horrors which await him in life, he struggles against being born into such a world.  As his childhood is cluttered with unwanted siblings, with a father away and drinking and a mother overburdened, life becomes increasingly unbearable and so, he lashes out to rail against these injustices…but who is listening?!

    Thus, his life is entrusted to religious and government institutions, reform schools, counseling, mental hospitals and prisons, enduring physical and sexual abuse and, during his brief respites at home, he is given to petty thefts and brawling.  Eventually finding his “calling” with a punk-rock band, but even that doesn’t slow his ultimate descent into hell, in which he finally discovers when you’re are at the bottom, there is nowhere to go but up.  And so, he gathers from public records, data on himself through them.  But that’s not the real story, which can be told in a “simpler” manner…and to find out, see it for yourself, if you dare!

    His story is, indeed, horrific but the manner in which Pierce delivers this intense monologue, is a marvel of acting and a highlight of any theatre season!  His rapid-fire spewing of this growing cancer, eating away at his soul, is awe-inspiring.  It is exactly the right interpretation by director, Whelan and actor, Pierce, to capture the degradation, humiliation and pure self-loathing and hatred this character must feel for himself…and we are entrusted with knowing that his is not an isolated case…and what are we to do about it?!

    This is very adult material, so be warned.  I highly recommend this production.  If you do choose to see it, please tell them Dennis sent you.

--DJS