October 7, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

An Evening Of Laughter With “Immediate Family”:

Paul Oakley Stovall’s “Immediate Family” blasted off like a rocket and continued its hilarious trajectory throughout the 90-minutes of almost non-stop merriment. You could say it was a kind of an “All In The Family” sitcom on speed as it dealt with the complications of revealing an alternate life style versus adhering to traditional family values, as well as smoldering sibling resentments. Serious subjects are handled in almost a farcical manner.

The shenanigans take place in the beautiful Bryant family home in Chicago’s Hyde Park.  The gorgeous set design by John Iacovelli created a luxurious space with a living room, working kitchen, and stairs leading up to the bedrooms. He enhanced the setting with an indoor-outdoor feel, including a garden seen through the window on stage left and flowers and a large tree outside the window on stage right.  

The parents’ home is now occupied by the oldest sister Evy, a teacher and the most militant of the lot. Skillfully played by Shanésia Davis, the play opens with a powerful speech Evy plans to present to her students. It covers the usual topics, emphasizing that black people need to keep standing up for their rights and support each other to achieve real freedom and equality. At first, it looked like it was going to be an evening of diatribe.  But, the evening turned out to be anything but.

Basically, the plot revolves around the Bryant family, who are gathering in their childhood home to attend their brother Tony’s wedding. Kamal Angelo Bolden’s Tony is a bit immature but his physical antics are like watching a meteor streak across the sky, tearing up the stage with his crack comic timing and deadpan, sometimes wide-eyed, “innocent” reactions.  

Next we meet Jesse, an imposing hunk of a man wonderfully played by Bryan Terrell Clark. Jesse has flown in from Minneapolis to attend his brother’s wedding. He has not told the family that he is gay and is very conflicted, as he knows his sister Evy, especially, would judge him harshly. Jesse approaches the subject with his brother Tony by talking about his partner Kristian, who by the way, is there ostensibly to be the official photographer at the wedding. Kristian is played by Mark Jude Sullivan, who imbues his character with just the right about of love and innocence.

Jesse: He’s my partner.

Tony: You have a business together?

Jesse: I’m gay!

Tony: (Laughing) I knew that.

Then there’s the flamboyant Nina, the outrageous next-door Lesbian neighbor, played to the max by a most talented J. Nicole Brooks. Her body must be made of rubber as she contorts it into many hilarious directions all at one time, which won great audience approval. Nina dresses like a hooker and is definitely the court jester throughout the play.  

The last sibling to arrive is Ronnie, played with subtle humor by Cynda Williams.  Ronnie is an artist living in Belgium. She had a different mother who was white, but shared the same father. It seems their father did quite a bit of begetting, as beside Ronnie, there is a whole bunch of half brothers and sisters living in Belgium. Ronnie loves boozing it up and arrives with a suitcase filled with an assortment of liquor, imbibing throughout the evening. There is palpable tension between her and Evy, which at one point culminates in Ronnie flinging a glass across the living room, followed by a physical confrontation, which the other siblings break up before much hair pulling could take place. At the end of what was almost a fight, Ronnie struts across the stage holding a drink and casually says: “Sorry about the glass. Good night.”

In one of the few serious scenes, there is an intense conversation between Jesse and Evy where she lectures him on is duty as a black man. “You should get married to a black woman and make black children.” Jesse takes that opportunity to remind her that she is, indeed, childless and she responds that she and her husband have been trying, but are now taking a break from each other.

Poor Kristian finally arrives which shocks Tony, as it didn’t occur to him that Jesse’s partner is Caucasian. In one of the many laugh lines, the conversation goes like this:

Tony: He’s white!

Jesse: Nothing gets past you Colombo!

Kristian very considerately brought gifts for everyone, but Evy refuses to touch hers. He is bewildered by the hostile family dynamic and is upset with Jesse for not being stronger and not making a commitment to get married.

There is a lot of “shtick” in the sometimes outrageous behavior of this incredibly talented ensemble, who, under the impeccable direction of Phylicia Rashad, endow their characters with a most active, almost gymnastic physical life, some of the movements recognizable as being from the “hood.”

This excellent production comes to life thanks to Stovall’s brilliant script, Rashad’s spot-on direction, augmented by terrific technical support from Elizabeth Harper’s lighting design, ESOSA’s costume design, and Joshua Horvath’s original music and sound design.

Lest you are worried about how this family stuff is all going to end, never fear as the playwright is a master of playing with emotions and like an artist with a colorful palette, knows exactly how to highlight and shadow what, really in the end, is a rather complex set of family issues presented as a comedic slice of life.  

Mark Taper Forum

135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Run: Tuesdays – Fridays: 8 pm

         Saturdays: 2:30 pm & 8 pm

         Sundays: 1 pm & 6:30 pm

         Closing Date: June 7, 2015

Tickets: $25-$85

Reservations: 213. 628.2772 or www.CenterTheatreGroup.org.

in News
Related Posts

Venice Canal Assault Survivor Files $5M Claim Against Los Angeles: Report

October 7, 2024

October 7, 2024

Mary Klein, 55, Was Attacked on April 6 at Around 10:30 p.m. In the Upscale Venice Neighborhood A woman who...

Santa Monica Police Officer Attacked in Unprovoked Knife Assault Outside Police Station

October 6, 2024

October 6, 2024

Mayor Calls for Urgent Action on Public Safety in Social Media Statement One of the Santa Monica Police Department’s (SMPD)...

(Video) Center For Early Education Combines a Nurturing Environment With Addressing Children’s’ Needs

October 4, 2024

October 4, 2024

For More Info, Go to centerforearlyeducation.org @smmirrornews For more info, go to centerforearlyeduducation.org #santamonica #losangeles #california #education #earlychildhoodeducation #childhood #losangeles...

Industrious Expands, Opens New Flexible Workspaces in LA

October 3, 2024

October 3, 2024

By Susan Payne New and expanded Industrious offices are opening soon in Los Angeles. Founded in 2012 by Jamie Hodari...

Film Review: Megalopolis

October 3, 2024

October 3, 2024

FILM REVIEWMEGALOPOLISRated R138 MinutesReleased September 27th Well…this film is a trip, a series of dreams, perhaps nightmares, with a loose...

Man Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Murder of UCLA Student Brianna Kupfer

October 3, 2024

October 3, 2024

Judge Rules On Insanity Plea During Latest Hearing  Shawn Laval Smith has been sentenced to life in prison without the...

Man Arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon in Santa Monica Garage

October 3, 2024

October 3, 2024

The Victim Was Able to Step Back and Avoid Being Stabbed A man was arrested for assault with a deadly...

Tito’s Fiesta Mexicana Returns to Culver City to Support Local Arts Programs

October 3, 2024

October 3, 2024

Annual Event to Raise Funds for Culver City Arts Foundation This Weekend Culver City’s Tito’s Tacos and Tito’s Handmade Vodka  are joining forces...

Vittorio Ristorante to Celebrate 40 Years with Throwback Prices

October 3, 2024

October 3, 2024

The Family-Owned Restaurant Will Host a “Throwback to 1984” Event Vittorio Ristorante & Pizzeria, a beloved staple in Pacific Palisades...

(Video) SM Police Officers Association Throws Support Behind Brock, De La Torre, Roknian and Lesley in Upcoming Election

October 3, 2024

October 3, 2024

See Why SMPD Are Supporting These Dedicated Santa Monica Leaders. @smmirrornews See Why SMPD Are Supporting These Dedicated Santa Monica...

(Video) Movie Theater Shutters on 3rd Street Promenade

October 2, 2024

October 2, 2024

The Space Occupied Various Movie Theaters For The Past 90 Years @smmirrornews Various theaters occupied the space for 90 years...

An $80K Grant Aims to Curb Alcohol Abuse Offenses in Santa Monica

October 2, 2024

October 2, 2024

The Program Has Distributed Approximately $3 Million to Local Law Enforcement Agencies Statewide The Santa Monica Police Department has been...

Regional Burning Man Event Returns to Venice Beach This Weekend

October 2, 2024

October 2, 2024

Venice Afterburn Will Feature a Variety of Interactive Art Installations, Theme Camps, and Performances The Venice Afterburn, an official Burning...

Santa Monica Nears Agreement to Host Olympic Volleyball, Although It Could Cost City $12M

October 1, 2024

October 1, 2024

Officials Are Optimistic About Recouping Much of This Through Reimbursements if the Games Are Successful Santa Monica is nearing an...

Michigan Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Fatal Stabbing at Santa Monica Parking Lot

October 1, 2024

October 1, 2024

Forensic Specialists Collected Hundreds of DNA Samples and Fingerprints from the Scene A Michigan man has been convicted of first-degree...