The Providence Black Rep presents a compelling production of Yellowman

The Providence Black Repertory Company made an inspired decision when it chose to present this play. Under the skilled direction of Don Mays, Tamara Anderson and Aaron Andrade give monumental performances in Dael Orlandersmith's Yellowman. Yellowman is a 2002 Pulitzer Prize finalist that has been making the rounds of regional theaters in the U.S. for the past few years.

Yellowman follows the lives of Eugene (Andrade) and Alma (Anderson); beginning when they are still children reading comic books and follows them as they become aware what role the color of their skin plays in their lives. Along with playing the main characters, the two actors weave effortlessly through a host of supporting characters of Eugene and Alma's friends and family. Their message to Eugene and Alma is that a "thin lipped", "high-yellow" boy has no business being friends with, or especially falling in love with, a "thick, dark" girl with "nappy hair".

The audience becomes part of a world where light-skinned blacks and dark-skinned blacks view each other with mistrust and contempt, even within their own families. It is a world where friends and family expect you to live your life by a course that is pre-determined by the shade of your skin.

Set on a stage that is almost bare, with the exception of two stools and a small basket of women's accessories the actors create the feel of each new setting with only their words, body language and the audience's imagination. The costumes are minimal. Alma wears a dirt-brown shift dress with very little accessory. Eugene wears a golden brown matte shirt over slightly darker trousers. The story takes place in five main locations over a thirty-five year time period. The passage of time is simply communicated through the dimming of lights and a snippet of music. The smells, sights, sounds and rhythm of each new place are conveyed as the characters react to them.

Mr. Andrade plays the male lead, Eugene, and supporting characters including Eugene's parents, grandfather and friends. Mr. Andrade's Eugene is played with a wide-eyed, naiveté; filled with hope for the future. As Eugene's life progresses we see the optimism get tamped down by cynicism, discrimination, alcohol, and violence.

As he plays the supporting characters his body language and demeanor morph freely. His voice changes slightly in tone and cadence, without changing the substance. The changes in character flow smoothly but with a clear distinction between each of the characters.

Ms. Anderson embodies the well-rounded character of Alma as well as playing Alma's mother and mostly-absent father. Ms. Anderson plays the role, which was originally played on stage by the playwright, beautifully. The scenes between Alma and her parents, with Ms. Anderson in each role are intricate and emotionally charged. Ms. Anderson seamlessly weaves the determination of Alma together with the defeat and despair of Alma's mother.

The playwright has written and The Black Rep is presenting a frank, sometimes-uncomfortable look at race and class issues in the U.S. The sexuality and violence in the story are explicit, though only through the script.

Yellowman is a thought-provoking, engaging, and entertaining piece of theater that should be seen.

Yellowman runs through March 12, 2006

www.blackrep.org

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