BWW Reviews: THE BROTHERS SIZE Mesmerizes at Mad Cow Theatre

Mad Cow Theatre's latest production, THE BROTHERS SIZE, is an emotionally charged, yet fulfilling journey that leaves the audience yearning for more by the end. Named "the greatest piece of writing by an American playwright under 30 in a generation or more" by the Chicago Tribune, THE BROTHERS SIZE is an evocative and thrilling piece of work by Tarell Alvin McCraney.

Set against the drawl of the Louisiana bayou, this tale of Ogun Size (Jim Braswell) and Oshoosi Size (Stelson Talfert) is a testament to brotherly love and the power of letting go. When Oshoosi returns home from "the pen" to live with his brother Ogun, Ogun believes that some hard work and a steady job will help Oshoosi return to the right path. His longing to live his own life and not be tied down makes him susceptible to the worn-in exploits of his old friend from prison, Elegba (Clinton Harris), and Oshooshi grapples with doing the "right" thing and the closeness he feels with his friend. Oshoosi innocence shines through when he dreams of a whole different life - complete with a new car and lots of women - but his maturity is something he grapples with as he comes to realize what really matters in life.

Throughout the hour and a half run time of the play, Oshoosi's fate is not as black and white as the audience may make it out to be at the beginning. This play is an outstanding commentary on so many issues prevalent to the American prison system and of African American life. It's easy to look at these issues on the outside and say we know the answers, but this piece explores the real issues - having a strong father figure at home, entering the workforce after being in prison, how inmates find that "rehabilitation" on the inside, and juxtaposing your roots with who you've become.

Jim Braswell, Stelson Talfert, and Clinton Harris make the characters of Ogun Size, Oshoosi Size, and Elegba come to life. They don't just talk through the part - it's almost as if they are living the part. Their performance is raw and unpacked and they truly bring the audience to a place where they are feeling the weight of their world.

Set in Mad Cow's black box theater, the setting is intimate and absolutely perfect for the work. This makes the actors' performances even more compelling. The lack of set isn't a distraction, but an opportunity for the actors to draw the audience in, which they do perfectly.

Music, poetry, and outstanding acting and direction make THE BROTHERS SIZE a tour-de-force that must be seen to truly understand it's greatness. Directed by Bobbie Bell, THE BROTHERS SIZE runs in the Zehngebot-Stonerock Theatre at Mad Cow Theatre until July 10. The show discusses mature themes and is recommended for theatre-goers high school age or older. For tickets and more information, click here.

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Banner Image: Stelson Telfert, Clinton Harris and Jim Braswell. Photo Credit: Mad Cow Theatre

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