Black or White

Defacing Michael Jackson –  Flying Elephant Productions

 

Nestled somewhere in Opa Locka City, Florida, a group of African American teenagers named Obadiah, and his friends Red and Yellow, are gathering for their meeting of the Miami-Dade County Michael Jackson Fan Club. The meeting’s called to order in Obie’s house by Frenchy, a pushy, dark-skinned teenage girl who makes it absolutely clear to everyone that she’s the one in charge. Frenchy is the club’s self-proclaimed President. She has a crush on Obie, although the boy couldn’t be less interested. He just happens to be the only one in the club who has a VCR and a collection of Michael Jackson videos. Like his fellow club members, Obie knows every lyric and dance move from his idol’s hit songs and he worships Michael Jackson, more than life itself.

The news comes that another family is moving into the empty house down the street, but the big shock is that the family is white. Wesley, a friendly, courteous young man, introduces himself to his young neighbors. He hopes to make friends with them, but Obie is the only one who seems open to welcoming the new boy into their gang. The others kids learn that Wesley, whom they nickname Jack (as in Cracker Jack), is also a rabid Michael Jackson fan. Soon he’s insinuating himself into their fan club and usurping their plans to create a mosaic mural dedicated to the King of Pop.

Jack, as he’s now known, grows very close to Obadiah, making Frenchy and the other kids increasingly jealous. It’s within this atmosphere, during that turbulent summer of 1984, that all kinds of complications and intrigues develop between these teenagers. Riots, theft, jealousies, sexual awakenings and the horrifying news that Michael Jackson suffered a life-threatening accident while filming a TV commercial all change the lives of these five teenagers. This memory play opens with adult Obadiah narrating the events, while popping in and out of the story to contribute the wisdom he’s gained from his hindsight.

This is an interesting and entertaining play, laced with comedy and occasional choreography. It’s directed with compassion and enthusiasm by Jeff Award-winning actress, Alexis J. Roston. She’s buffed out any minor problems from Aurin Squire’s script, a comic drama now enjoying its Chicago premiere, and smoothed out its presentation. Ms. Roston’s cast is excellent, especially Christopher Taylor, as Obie. His energy and drive keeps the story moving; and Mr. Taylor’s interaction with the other characters is strong, particularly with Sam Martin, as Jack. Taylor and Martin’s scenes are the best and offer the most dramatic tension. Both actors are natural and provide honesty and realistic portrayals of their teenage characters. Jory Pender is very good in the role of Frenchy, finding just the right notes to convey the pain her character feels that’s hidden under the rage. Eldridge Shannon III is challenged to demonstrate the most versatility, playing three very different characters of various ages and mental capabilities. He’s excellent as twin brothers, Red and Yellow, and brings a mature, but comic quality to the adult Commish.

Nicholas Schwartz’s versatile scenic design allows his partially tiled mosaic wall and low acting platform to become a variety of locales, not the least of which is the teenagers’ memorial to Mr. Jackson. Working together with lighting designer Becs Bartle, and featuring a terrific soundtrack by Petter Wahlback, this modest production rightly directs its focus on the five fascinating characters.

While sometimes a bit shocking in its story and thematic material, Aurin Squire’s comedy nicely melds humor, teenage trauma and adolescent angst with important ideas about racial relations and growing up. Although the play is set in the mid-1980s, the story and its themes are, unfortunately, still topical in the 21st century. In only its second production, this fledgling theatre company, Flying Elephant Productions, shows great promise with its mission to present new works that are dynamic, impassioned and prone to fly. Summer entertainment takes wing, in “Black or White.”

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas 

 

Presented July 27-August 12 by Flying Elephant Productions at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 773-327-5252 or by going to www.stage773.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.