Not A Review: Mud Row Goes Deep at Fonseca Theatre
About Not A Review: I enjoy cultural experiences and sometimes I write about them. I like what I like and though I consider my thoughts to be solid critique, I would never front like I’m some damn Siskel & Ebert.
Who are you? What do you want? How far are you willing to go to have it? These questions are at the core of Domonique Morisseau’s Mud Row, her latest work, which tackles issues of intergenerational trauma, race and class set against the backdrop of urban renewal aka gentrification.
Mud Row (running until March 20) is the first show up at Fonseca for their 2022 Season of Healing and features an all Black cast. I recognized many of the show’s stars as familiar faces (to me) on the local arts scene: Lakesha Lorene (Frances), Aniqua ShaCole (Regine), Marcus Elliot (Davin) and Brenton Anderson (Tyreik). I was introduced to Anika Akua (Toshi) and Jacquelyn Owens (Elsie) who I hope to see on many more stages soon.
The play, which flows back and forth between historical eras, follows the stories of two sets of sisters who undoubtedly love each other despite the fact that they are diametrically opposed on critical points about what is important in life. With Frances and Elsie, it’s the battle between Frances’ Malcolm-esque penchant for freedom fighting and Elsie’s Dubois inspired climb up the ladder of social mobility. In the present Frances and Elsie’s descendants - Toshi and Regine clash over whether the past has any spiritual merit or whether it should be abandoned altogether to remain connected to a more solid, material reality.
Who is right? Who is wrong? I think the answer, if there is one, boils down to what (if anything) you think is worth saving… worth fighting for.
I found myself pondering so many things watching Mud Row. How far can you really go without a connection to your history? Does the past have the potential to hold you back? Is it possible to reconcile with those who have consistently caused you harm?
I don’t know that it’s doable, or even necessary, to find nice, neat answers to these inquiries. Thankfully, Mud Row doesn’t try to and instead elevates the potential of grace to make rocky roads navigable because after all… don’t nobody wanna be stuck in the mud.
Of the various relationship dynamics presented, I found myself most drawn in by Toshi and Tyreik’s deep and abiding love for one another. I appreciate the depth each actor brought to the role.
All in all, I thought the Fonseca crew did a wonderful job with this piece and I look forward to seeing where else they go this season.
A couple of technical notes:
The face masks the actors wore made it hard to hear what they were saying despite a mic being taped to their faces. This is a good indicator to ENUNCIATE AND PROJECT way more than what would typically be acceptable.
The tech crew needs to get tight on that last scene going into intermission. There’s nothing like having the mystery of an intense moment ruined by seeing the players scurry off stage as the lights are coming up.
