No Justice, No Peace

Twilight: Los Angeles 1992 – Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre

Boy, does Anna Deavere Smith always hit home-runs with her work. This performance, brought to life under the direction of Tim Rhoze, is undeniably persistent in its ability to move an audience. This play uses more than 40 verbatim interviews carefully organized and collected from people related to the 1992 Los Angeles Riots. If you are someone who loves history and non-fiction, the dichotomy created by this play challenges the perception of the viewers who thought they knew the whole story.

Jazzma Pryor puts you in the seat next to the interviewer. You will hear various experiences from people on all sides of the different events leading up to and through the riots. It ranges from Rodney King’s aunt, to members of the jury, as well as people who personally almost lost their lives during this period. You will hear stories of pain, anger, vengeance, and ignorance from interviewees all starkly contrasted one after the other. Anna Deavere Smith, the playwright, took these interviews but Pryor brings them to life almost 30 years later. 

Pryor kept the energy level high the entirety of the performance, making the total run-time of 2 hours and 15 minutes fly by, and even left me wanting more. Even though a majority of the characters were played by Pryor, every character was distinct, from slight costume changes to the smallest details in the character’s motions. I found myself angry with some of the “people”, while tears welled in my eyes for “others”. 

I believe that this performance is crucial to see, no matter who you are. Especially with the parallels it draws to the George Floyd protests only slightly more than a year ago. If you have any passion for education and social justice, this will get the gears turning. This performance reinforces how much work is left to be done, and how there exists so much denial of recent history. 

I say, instead of going to AMC to see the new blockbuster, see this play instead. Something live, something raw, something so beneficial for your soul. Grab your vaccination card, hop on the purple line, and go see this play. 

Note: the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theater asks that all patrons provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test from the previous 72 hours, and wear a mask during the performance.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Rachel Robbins

September 11-26, 2021, Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays 3 p.m.

Runtime: 2 hours 15 mins (intermission)

Tickets available at www.fjtheatre.com

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