“Spunk” Fiction

by Devlyn Camp

Court has a little more to offer than spunk tonight. They’ve got fearless voices, smart comedy, and a joyful presentation of life’s common struggles. Perhaps “spunk” really does cover it. Spunk is an adaptation of three short stories by Zora Neale Hurston. The show taps into its soul through musical numbers by Chic Street Man, and illuminates the characters of the Harlem Renaissance writer.

From the top, the “Folks” want their audience in on the fun. A guitarist (Kelvyn Bell, also the music director) enters, nonchalantly asking “How you doin’?” and opens the book to this fun little world. The Folks enter joyfully, narrating their own stories in a charming, comical fashion, painting Hurston’s pages out in animation.

The three short pieces illustrate struggles that are still relevant today. On the worn, wooden set, they tell a story that ultimately has one message: You reap what you sow. Along with being alive, each person must connect with karma and face their pain. Although however true this is, watching these six actors (and a wooden puppet), it hurts so good. The audience is butter in their frying pan, sizzling and melting into the smooth, thick vocals.  The catchy bantering of “I’m Too Good Lookin’ For You” between the guitarist and the main narrator, Blues Speak Woman, causes the audience to have trouble hearing the music over the outrageous agreeing laughter. These quick accounts and peppy tunes prove that while there are the weeds of everyday life to pull, we can still enjoy ourselves, and grow into our own little place in the world.

SPUNK
Court Theatre
Now through October 9, 2011
Tickets $10-$50
Available at www.courttheatre.org

Kelvyn Bell and Alexis J. Rogers, photo courtesy Michael Brosilow