Review - Detroit '67

Nearly 40 years ago, producer Norman Lear brought a television program about a black family's life in a Chicago housing project into millions of American homes. And while the show never ignored the dangers and hardships of living in an underserved, crime-ridden community, Good Times focused on the safe haven provided by family and friends that nurtured artistry and activism while providing the expected abundance of sitcom laughter.

That same atmosphere of love and laughter - and especially music - is the safe haven of Detroit '67, Dominique Morisseau's drama with comedy that begins on the weekend before July 23rd, 1967, when mounting tensions between the police vice squad and black citizens feeling harassed exploded into deadly riots that only subsided when the National Guard and U.S. Army troops were called in.

Siblings Chelle and Lank (Michelle Wilson and Francois Battiste) live in the house where they grew up, their parents having both passed away, and earn money hosting after-hours parties in their basement. It's an illegal business, but its secrecy allows customers the opportunity to dance to the latest Motown hits relatively safe from police raids. When the play begins, Chelle is prepping for the weekend's fun, patiently resetting the needle whenever one of her scratchy 45rpm records starts skipping. Though she sent Lank into town to buy some of the latest hit singles, he and his buddy Sly (Brandon J. Dirden) return with an 8-track player and tapes, excited for how this new technology will produce a smoother sound with no skips. Chelle is suspicious of his enthusiasm, especially when it becomes apparent that Lank and Sly want to use the new audio system in the legit neighborhood bar they plan to buy; an idea she thinks is too risky in the current street climate.

That evening Lank and Sly bring home a white woman, Caroline (Samantha Soule), who they found passed out and apparently beaten up on the street. Knowing that taking her to the hospital would raise suspicion against them, they tuck the unconscious women under blankets on the couch, assuring her that she's safe when she wakes up the next morning. Though she won't reveal exactly what conditions led to her current state, Chelle reluctantly allows her to stay and work for her until she can afford to go someplace safe. That night the riots ignite and eventually its consequences are tragically felt.

As directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah, Detroit '67 does, in the most positive way, resemble a warm, urban sitcom where the comedy nicely leads us into serious issues. The characters are familiar types, played with empathy by a strong ensemble. Chelle is the pragmatic, grounded woman who doesn't like taking unnecessary risks while Lank is the wheeler-dealer with big dreams and Sly as his trusting sidekick. Caroline is the white woman with a surprising knowledge of black culture and lifestyles, up on all the latest Motown artists and able to mix up a mean Bali Hai. There's also De'Adre Aziza as Bunny, Chelle's sexy and streetwise friend who spends most of her time on stage tossing out sassy comments.

A drama set more in the center of the action might offer a better historical look at those five brutal days, but Detroit '67 more of a sentimental look at what was lost; both of the city's past and of its potential future. And in that way it succeeds as a loving and satisfying visit.

Photos by Joan Marcus: Top: Michelle Wilson and Brandon J. Dirden; Bottom: De'Adre Aziza and Francois Battiste.

Click here to follow Michael Dale on Twitter.

"The ability to delude yourself may be an important survival tool."
-- Jane Wagner

The grosses are out for the week ending 3/17/2013 and we've got them all right here in BroadwayWorld.com's grosses section.

Up for the week was: SPIDER-MAN TURN OFF THE DARK (15.8%), JERSEY BOYS (13.4%), THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (11.7%), NEWSIES (9.8%), NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT (8.4%), CHICAGO (8.0%), VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE (8.0%), MAMMA MIA! (4.6%), CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (4.2%), MATILDA (3.5%), ONCE (2.7%), ROCK OF AGES (1.6%), LUCKY GUY (1.1%), WICKED (0.6%), THE LION KING(0.3%),

Down for the week was: CINDERELLA (-14.3%), ANN (-6.9%), HANDS ON A HARDBODY (-4.4%), BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S (-4.3%), ANNIE (-1.0%), KINKY BOOTS (-0.2%),

To post a comment, you must register and login.