Review: THE LAUNCH PRIZE World Premiere at Bridge Rep

The Launch Prize

Written by MJ Halberstadt, Directed by Tiffany Nichole Greene; Scenic Design & Properties, Ryan Bates; Costume Design, Esme Allen; Lighting Design, Stephen Petrilli; Sound Design, Skylar Burks; Production Stage Manager, Erin Lerch; Assistant Stage Manager, Hannah Estabrook; Production Manager, Nick Medvescek

CAST (in alphabetical order): Katharine Chen Lerner, Bari Robinson, Angela K. Thomas, John Tracey

Performances through March 20 by Bridge Repertory Theater at Deane Hall, Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont Street, Boston, MA; Box Office 617-933-8600 or www.bostontheatrescene.com

A quartet of visual arts graduate students is preparing the gallery for a final exhibition of their work and anxiously awaiting the announcement of the winner of the prestigious Launch Prize. Their banter and cooperative spirit suggest that they share a camaraderie typical of friends who have been through a challenging experience together, but the competition looms large in the air around them. Over the course of the next eighty minutes, the foursome unleashes a virtual herd of elephants in the room as issues of race, gender, entitlement, and duplicity bubble up from deep wells of resentment.

Bridge Repertory Theater of Boston presents the world premiere of local playwright MJ Halberstadt's The Launch Prize under the direction of Tiffany Nichole Greene. Each of the characters is from a different ethnic background which informs their world view and how they respond to the statements and actions of the other three. Kim (Katharine Chen Lerner) is Chinese-American, but assumes the name Tuesday Last to mask her origins. African-American Michelle (Angela K. Thomas) goes to the other end of the spectrum, favoring self-portraits and stating in her application her intent to tour Africa with the prize money. Sebastian (Bari Robinson) is half-Mexican and impishly implies that the committee will consider diversity ahead of merit, virtually assuring that Austin (John Tracey), the white Irish guy, doesn't stand a chance of winning.

Thanks to Sebastian's assertions, speeches and arguments ensue, raising the tension level to a fever pitch. After resisting the urge to prematurely peek into the envelopes (addressed to their professor) with the results, they decide to release the pressure and find out the winner. It is not a spoiler to reveal that Michelle gets the prize because Halberstadt employs a device to give each of the characters the opportunity to win and show the impact on the individual, as well as the group. Three times he replays the moment when Austin tears open the fattest of the four envelopes to see who won. The lights dim and the actors walk back to their places on the stage, even turning around in the way someone would move in a home movie run in reverse. Although it serves the purpose of each character having their say, the device becomes redundant and I'd encourage the playwright to find another way.

Halberstadt deftly defines his characters without resorting to stereotypes and these actors perform their roles with distinction. The women are strong and spar on equal footing with the men. As a white male, the playwright shows great insight into the dynamics of the female friendship and argues the case from each ethnic point of view with depth and compassion. Kudos to all for authentically portraying the opposing feelings of friendship vs. competition and resentment vs. support. The Launch Prize dives deep into diverse issues and sends the audience back to the real world with new questions to ponder.

Photo credit: Andrew Brilliant (Bari Robinson, John Tracey, Angela K. Thomas, Katharine Chen Lerner)

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