An Episodic and Doomed Voyage

Middle Passage – Lifeline Theatre

Returning to the Lifeline Theatre for its 39th season, after the pandemic shut down the world, is like coming home again to old friends. This is a special place where adaptations of great literature for both young and old comes alive. For Lifeline’s reopening we resume our 2020 voyage on their much-acclaimed production about a dark chapter in American history.  Winning the 1990 National Book Award for Fiction, Dr. Charles R. Johnson’s novel is a sprawling, two-and-a-half hour dramatic saga about a young man, a freed African-American, who comes to understand firsthand the horrors of the slave trade. Co-adapted for Lifeline Theatre by Ilesa Duncan and David Barr III, this maritime adventure is a tale of self-discovery and growth, detailing a young African-American’s journey toward maturity. 

After leaving his native Illinois, cocky Rutherford Calhoun heads to New Orleans, where he intends to sow his wild oats amidst the decadence of the Big Easy. After arriving, he meets an enchanting, but prim and proper young schoolteacher named Isadora Bailey. Calhoun charms the young lady, but Miss Bailey isn’t easily wooed by Rutherford’s sweet talk. She wants a commitment, so Isadora tries to blackmail Calhoun into marrying her if she’ll pay off his debts. To avoid the confinements of marriage, Rutherford stows aboard a sailing ship. What he doesn’t realize is that the Republic is a slave ship bound for the African coast on its mission to capture dozens of men, women and children who’ll be ripped from their homeland and sold into bondage.

Rutherford befriends affable, heavy-drinking Josiah Squibb and becomes his galley assistant,. He also comes to like and deeply respect the Republic’s honorable and trustworthy First Mate, Peter Cringle. But, like the rest of the crew, Calhoun fears the ship’s tyrannical captain, Ebenezer Falcon, despite being taken into the brutal autocrat’s confidence and becoming his eyes and ears above deck. Dr. Johnson’s story takes the audience on a complicated, episodic and doomed voyage to the west coast of Africa, and beyond. 

Along the way, Rutherford must overcome a number of challenges. Calhoun learns to balance an edgy relationship with the lunatic ship captain with a dissenting crew who continually threaten to mutiny. He also crushes all the fear and hatred thrust upon him by the Allmuseri captives, who are chained below deck. The valiant young man manages to survive a violent storm at sea that kills most of his shipmates and destroys the ship. Rutherford is eventually rescued by another ship and, upon returning to New Orleans, he finds Isadora and his creditor, Papa Zeringue. Following so many months of danger, Calhoun has learned empathy. His compassion for his fellow man and the importance of settling down to a wife and family finally become his life goal. Ultimately, Rutherford Calhoun’s story ends happily.

This theatrical adaptation is one of Lifeline Theatre’s more ambitious and complicated dramas. Kudos to director and co-adaptor Ilesa Duncan for keeping all her ducks in a row and helping the audience to navigate this difficult, labyrinthine tale of the high seas. Johnson’s story is complicated, but captivating and unique, especially with its African-American hero. The play presents a seldom-seen, sometimes misunderstood dark chapter in American history. The production is beautifully enhanced by a host of gifted, unseen talent. This includes a magnificent, impressively functional scenic design, by Alan Donahue; a palette of ever-changing, mood-enhancing lighting, co-created by Kyle Bajor and Scott Tobin; sound and music designs by Barry Bennett and Shawn Wallace, respectively; and some incredible, moving projections, that bring the rolling waves and furious storm into this intimate venue, designed by Alex Gendal. Anna Wooden’s authentic period costumes put the icing on the cake. This is an incredible technical achievement for this literary-inspired theatre company.

The eleven talented, flexible actors who bring this story to life have got to be some of the hardest-working performers around. All the performances are solid and well-executed. As Rutherford Calhoun, charismatic actor Ajax Dontavius is terrific full of energy. Sometimes, however, the actor’s enthusiasm makes it difficult to understand what he’s saying. He needs to slow down and remember that he’s telling a story that’s new and unfamiliar. Seldom if ever leaving the stage, Mr. Dontavius is the heart and soul of this epic story, taking the audience along with him on his journey of self-discovery and personal growth. We come to identify with Rutherford Calhoun’s odyssey toward enlightenment. 

He’s aided by a cast of excellent supporting actors. Robert Koon is funny and often touching as Josiah Squibb; the always impressive Christopher Vizurraga brings sobriety, class and stature to his portrayal of First Mate, Peter Cringle; Patrick Blashill is forceful and fearsome, returning once again to play Captain Falcon. Gerrit Wilford, as McGaffin, lends his combat skills to the action and a powerful singing voice to the melodic sea shanties that help create atmosphere; Shelby Lynn Bias once again makes a sweetly sophisticated Isadora Bailey; Kellen Robinson displays strength and versatility playing Tom, the cabin boy; Linsey Falls is filled with ominous strength, as Papa Benjamin Jenkins makes a threatening character in Santos; Monty Kane portrays intelligence and is wonderfully commanding, as both Jackson and Ngonyama; and MarieAnge Louis-Jean makes and innocent and touching little Baleka. All of the actors double and triple as the townspeople, the ship’s crew and/or the African captives, making this cast so impressive.

This adaptation of Charles Johnson’s award-winning epic historical novel of the sea is a bit too long and could use some judicious trimming. But the story is a perfect offering for this literary-based company. The play is an intricate, episodic tale of a young man’s journey toward maturity that requires careful attention by the audience. Lifeline Theatre’s brilliant cast and crew, under the tight direction of Ilesa Duncan, work diligently to make this chapter of history come alive. Together they bring this unbelievable adventure to the stage with polish and panache. For the savvy theatergoer, however, despite the length of the play, the journey toward discovery is worthwhile.

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas    

Presented April 15-June 5 by Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 773-761-4477 or by going to www.lifelinetheatre.com.

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