This play by Rachel Lynett, exists in a “historically inaccurate” world. The playwright asks the audience to imagine that after the election of President Trump in 2016 there was a second Civil War that segregated the country. A member of the all-Black state community raises concerns after a resident’s partner, who is Afro-Latinx, moves to town. This dynamic, funny, and heart-wrenching winner of the 2021 Yale Drama Series Prize was previously seen at Orlando Shakes as a part of PlayFest 2020. Now see this ground-breaking, fully produced production!
In the first act the play seems to do a hard restart with the author changing course and retelling the story from another angle. In every scene there is a sense of exuberance and joy with an underlying fear that the safety of the community can not last. A street party busted out with most of the audience getting up to join in the dancing. I was a stick in the mud since I kept sketching.
My favorite moment came when the author texted the actors and asked them to define what blackness meant to them. Every actor in turn offered a monologue from their personal experience of that blackness meant to them. It was incredibly heartfelt and moving. It has been a long time since I sat in a small theater and fell in love with an entire cast. I will not try and peel away all the layers of judgement and acceptance that made this cast such a joy to watch. I identified with the proud artistic spirits who rose despite never being encouraged to do so.
The show runs approximately one hour and 30 minutes, with no intermission. The show runs through October 30th in the Goldman Theater in the Orlando Shakes (812 E Rollins St Orlando, FL 32803). I highly advise seeing the show, just bring along your KN-95 masks.