African American Repertory Theater/Carol Piersol Race

By Bruce Levy • Dec 3rd, 2013 • Category: Reviews, Virginia

Race
African American Repertory Theater: (Info) (Web)/Carol Piersol
Virginia Rep Center – Theatre Gym, Richmond, VA
Through December 21st
$25/$10 Students, RAPT (Plus Fees)
1:20 without intermission
Reviewed November 29th, 2013

After a week of seeing holiday shows and going to holiday parties, tonight was quite the change of pace. Carol Piersol and African American Repertory Theater are presenting David Mamet’s Race. The play is just what it sounds like — an exploration into the darker side, so to speak, of what white folks and black folks really think about people of the other race.

A wealthy white man, Charles (Joe Inscoe) is accused of raping a black woman. He wants to hire two law partners — one, Jack, who is white (Billy Christopher Maupin) and the other, Henry, who is black (d l [sic] Hopkins) as his defense team. They are assisted by Jack’s paralegal Susan (Katrinah Carol Lewis).

This is Piersol at her best, choosing a play that makes you think, makes you laugh, and makes you squirm. She and director Bill Patton have pulled together a group of Richmond’s most skillful and authentic performers to pull off this study of guilt and shame in the legal and moral senses.

The four actors play well off each other and maintain a fast-paced, emotional roller coaster; jumping from humor to anger effortlessly. Hopkins did seem to struggle at times in remembering some of his lines, but this did not weaken the dynamic created by the four actors.

David A. Ballas’ set was filled with red hues enhancing the incendiary nature of the dialogue. There were a couple of problems, such as a step that almost tripped up Lewis a couple of times in her high heels; and some visible seams in the floors and walls of this otherwise fashionable office. Sarah Grady’s costumes helped establish each character’s self-image, in a play where image is everything.

In addition to the strong theme, there is some very strong language throughout the one-act play (which made me a bit uncomfortable that my “assistant reviewer” Nick and his friend were also in attendance) but the message is a good one for mature teens on up.

You should race to see Race for its powerful performances and message.