What a Fruit It Bears

This Bitter Earth – About Face

 

This bitter earth

Well, what a fruit it bears

What good is love

That no one shares?

And if my life is like the dust

That hides the glow of a rose

What good am I?

Heaven only knows

So wails vocal artist Dinah Washington on a melancholy, bluesy recording which one of the characters is listening to. He’s trying find consolation after a big fight with his gay partner, while trying to work on the new play he’s been writing. The lyrics inspire the often joyful, frequently ecstatic and sometimes turbulent love story between two intelligent young men. This is the focus of a new play by prolific, multi award-winning African American playwright, Harrison David Rivers. 

Much like Rivers, Jesse is an aspiring young African American playwright from a working class background. He’s trying to complete his thesis for a Masters Degree. But he’s met and fallen in love with Neil, a spirited, kind-hearted young white man from an affluent family. Neil is passionate about his work trying to abolish social injustice, particularly in support of the Black Lives Matters movement. Throughout the drama’s 90 minutes, a series non-sequential events play out, realistically depicting their somewhat tumultuous relationship. However, continually throughout the story, the playwright returns to one particular scene. Over and over again, he depicts a lighthearted evening of fun the couple shares on the street outside of a bar. Both of the guys are a little inebriated, but Jesse is trying to teach Neil a catchy childhood ditty, whose lyrics name all 50 states in alphabetical order. The irony is that this playful, carefree moment is about to be marred by a horrendous tragedy, driving home the theme of this drama.

 Harrison David Rivers’ characters are drawn from life so that they feel real. He’s written dialogue that’s very natural and completely honest. We easily recognize these two men from our daily lives. Both Jesse and Neil share their ideas with thoughtfulness and, when they argue, they’re coherent and articulate. Sheldon Brown holds a lot inside himself, portraying Jesse with reserve and dignity. The rare times that the script allows Mr. Brown to break out of his shell are a particular joy. Daniel Desmarais plays Neil like a cute, cuddly puppy. He’s a young man who loves his life, expresses joy with abandon, while still testy and tempestuous when it comes to the human rights. It should be noted that Sheldon Brown was one of many Chicago victims of assault by gunfire this past Spring. His own journey to recovery must haunt him with every line of this play because the tragedy in the play is so personal.

Harrison David Rivers’ new work is important and relevant. It’s a play for today. Filled with nuance, and superbly directed with care and urgency by Mikael Burke, this production is a stunningly smart and memorable opening to About Face Theatre’s 23rd season. From Joe Schermoly’s intricate, expressionistic scenic design, nicely illuminated by John Kelly, to an effective music and sound design by Eric Backus, this solid production is bound to stimulate debate and conversation about a variety of topics. 

Theatergoers will emerge thinking about and discussing many issues, from how this bitter earth still can produce the fruit of love. Audiences will talk about just how transparent gay relationships should be in the 21st century, and still remain safe. They’ll discuss the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement and how it relates to all lives. This, unfortunately, is the climate all of us must now navigate in today’s anger-fueled world.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas 

   

Presented November 1-December 8 by About Face Theatre at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 773-975-8150 or by going to www.aboutfacetheatre.com.

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