Review: MISUNDERSTANDING THE CANDY GAME a New Thought Provoking Play

Misunderstanding the Candy Game, produced by the Kansas City! Tennyson Group played at the Gem Theater in the historic Jazz District of Kansas City, Mo. Lewis Morrow wrote and starred in the timely, thought provoking two-act play, which was staged at 3 and 7 p.m. on Saturday December 6.

The prologue states: This play presents a very specific dynamic - the roles and obligations of black men according to two brothers who have spent a life fighting the system and refusing to believe there is a system. This play will not answer any questions only start discussions.

Misunderstanding the Candy Game is the tale of two brothers, Dr. David Ross who is somewhat radical in his fight for the rights of the black man and his brother Abashai accepts things as they are and concerns himself with his own life and not that of his race. Abashai returns to his childhood home after David has been arrested for killing a police officer who had killed a black man. The weekend intended to come to the aid of David quickly turns to heated exchanges about the role of the black man.

The production offers an evening of drama, twists, turns, and a few laughs. It will at times appear over the top, lush with passionate exchanges between characters and extreme measures taken for an extreme story line.

Lewis Morrow gives a fine performance as Abashai Ross. This is the second appearance for Morrow in a Tennyson Group production. He previously appeared in last year's production of Sad & Charming Ezrel Paulson. His depiction of the character and the dialogue is natural and believable.

Paul Jones makes his debut as an actor in the role of the arrogant, militant Dr. David Ross. Jones gives a powerful performance as the black professor more concerned about the rights of blacks than his own perilous situation. Jones has performed with the hip-hop group Typsy.

Veronica Knight gives a delightful performance as the protective mother Mrs. Ross. As the mother, she tries to keep the brothers on track for the original reason for the weekend gathering, which is being over-shadowed by the brother's views of their roles in the black community.

Other members of the cast include Jabrelle Flournoy as Josephine Burroughs, who Abashai brings to the house to aid his brother. Myrina Roark as Anita, a student of Dr. Ross with more than a classroom relationship and Nicholas Hazel as Petey Reynolds.

Misunderstanding the Candy Game is the second production of the Kansas City! Tennyson Group.

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