BWW Reviews: SPT's SLIP/SHOT Resonates with Today

A shooting of a black teen in the racially charged south causes unrest in a small town. Sounds like the latest headline of today doesn't it? Well that shows how far we haven't come as shown in the attitudes expressed in "Slip/Shot", currently playing at Seattle Public Theatre, which is set in the tumultuous 60's. And while this period piece still has its powerful resonance with issues of today, at times the play itself feels a little static.

Unlike the racially motivated situations of today, Jacqueline Goldfinger's play has her characters stuck in the circumstance of the racial divide rather than being purveyors of it as a white security guard, Clem (Quinn Armstrong), accidentally slips and discharges his weapon, hitting a young black teen, Monroe (Treavor Boykin). What follows is a back and forth look into two households affected by this tragedy, Clem and his wife Kitty (Jocelyn Maher) and Monroe's Mother Miz Athey (Faith Russell) with his girlfriend Euphrasie (Marquicia Dominguez).

The staging by director Kelly Kitchens is a fascinating one as the two houses are represented in one set with only doors moving in an out to represent a new location. And the overlap of locale makes for a stirring overlap of emotion between the two homes marking the contrast and similarities between both. But even as much as the performances and the staging intrigued me, the back and forth tended to get a little flat as the scenes didn't escalate. Kitchens directs this with a steady directness but at times it felt too steady.

Armstrong's bravado at the beginning coupled with his fear at the end is a sight to behold as he devolves in front of you. I keep getting impressed with him in the things I've seen. As his wife Maher brings in a wonderful strength and intelligence layered under the love of her husband. Boykin manages an upbeat sweetness that makes his eventual downfall all the more hard. Dominguez adds in some lovely heart and youthful counterpoint to the changing times. But it's Russell who blew me away with her strong yet grieving Mother. She manages such a complex and layered yet honest character that you cannot help but pay attention.

It's a powerful piece that just needs a little more variation on its journey. But still very resonant and still worth seeing so I give it a solid YAY with my three letter rating system.

"Slip/Shot" from Seattle Public Theatre performs at the Bathhouse Theatre through October 12th. For tickets or information call the SPT box office at 206-524-1300 or visit them online at www.seattlepublictheatre.org.

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