BWW Reviews: RUINED at Everyman Theatre is a Powerful Production

You may recall that Everyman Resident Theatre Company Member Dawn Ursula starred in last season's clever comedy by Lynn Nottage, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK at the Everyman Theatre. RUINED is a stark contrast from VERA STARK. Based on real interviews conducted by the playwright, RUINED takes place in the Congo in the midst of a civil war where a savvy owner of a bar/brothel attempts to survive in a country torn by warfare. In a masterful performance, Ursala plays the role of Mama Nadi who must try to deal with two military factions in order to survive. Her bar business relies on the two enemy armies who come to her bar for liquor and women. She insists on having all guns be removed to ensure safety and sanity.

Everyman has brought in established director Tazewell Thompson and he does a masterful job of blending the comedy and the pathos of the play into a vivid production.

RUINED began at the Goodman Theater in Chicago and then moved Off-Broadway in 2009. It was given a riveting production at the Arena Stage a few years ago.

But once again, the Everyman is testing its audience to handle a tough subject and Artistic Director Vince Lancisi should be applauded for bringing this play for the first time to Baltimore audiences.

You will laugh a lot during RUINED and you may also cry.

Helping Mama supplied with her merchandise (that includes food, drink, women, and chocolate) is Christian (played marvelously by Jason B. McIntosh). Christian is a huge fan of the orange drink Fanta (look for the authentic Coca-Cola refrigerator with the necessary bottle cap remover) and is a recovered alcoholic. It is such a sad scene when he is forced by soldiers to imbibe whiskey.

The play opens with Christian asking Mama to take in two young women, Sophie (Zurin Villanueva) and Salima (Monique Ingram). While Mama agrees to take only one, Christian pleads for her to also take his niece Sophie, even though she is "ruined" (unable to have sex due to mutilation). She only complies after Mama is given some Belgian chocolate. You witness how these two individuals adapt to their surroundings quickly, dancing, singing, carousing with the soldiers yet always realizing that death could be just around the corner.

Another standout performer is Bueka Uwemedimo playing the role of Fortune. Everyman Resident Actor Bruce Nelson has a small role as Harari who deals in arms.

Brandon McNeel is responsible for the accurate set design (where did he find that Coke refrigerator?), Cedric D. Lyles is responsible for the great music, Stephen Quandt has done great work with the lighting, and Fabinan Obispo did the great sound.

Everyman should be applauded for their use of Baltimore School for the Arts students and graduates. In the ensemble are Khalil Clash, Morgan McAdory, and Elias Ramos, all seniors and members of the ensemble. Recent graduates of BSA are Ingram and Keith Leroyal (Ensemble).

Don't hesitate to see this powerful production.

You can also attend the next installment of "The World of the Play" panel discussion series on Saturday , March 7 at 5 p.m. (rescheduled from the Feb. 21 snow storm).

RUINED runs to March 8. For tickets, call 410-752-2208.

THIS AND THAT

I have long waited to see highlights of Broadway during the Ed Sullivan years during the 1950's. Finally, we get a chance thanks to PBS which is airing "Great Broadway Musical Moments from the Ed Sullivan Show, Saturday, March 7 at 8 p.m. on WETA and repeated on March 9 at 8 p.m. Featured performers include Ethel Merman, Joel Grey, Julie Andrews, John Raitt, Gwen Verden, Dick Van Dyke, Richard Burton and others in songs from OKLAHOMA, MY FAIR LADY, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, WEST SIDE STORY, SWEET CHARITY, AND CAMELOT. Should be fun.

cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

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