Posted by RS Bailey on April 20, 2011 - 5:32pm
“Tiger Tiger Burning Bright” written by Peter S. Feibleman, and directed by Sam Nickens for Upward Bound Productions is a beautifully portrayed story of love and delusion, now at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood.
It tells the story of the Morris family, living in New Orleans in the early 1950’s, during the Korean War. A telegram sits enshrined on the wall, telling of the eldest son’s death in the war. It is a consolation to remind Mama that her oldest son didn’t wind up as a criminal. Three children remain: Clarence, now the eldest; Dan, well-intentioned but a bit slow; and their sister Cille, the conscience of the family and the youngest.
Clarence, who has a good job with the Telegraph Company, has become the man of the family and is continually bringing the bonuses he receives home to Mama. But the draft looms over Clarence’s head and he may not be around for much longer. There are only three payments left on the house and he wants to be sure the family’s taken care of.
Neighbors also figure into the mix. Most notably Adelaide Smith, who has her eyes for Clarence even though Mama is trying to get her to marry Dan. Then come Celeste and Dewey, brother and sister from next door. She’s trying to fix Dewey up with Cille.
But something is off. Cille confronts Clarence about the fact that he’s sneaking out the window every night. Something’s changed in him and he’s keeping secrets. Meanwhile Mama happily accepts the money he brings her and calls him her “big tiger cat.” When Uncle Sittre, a deacon in the local church, drops by for a visit he tells Mama of all the sin going on in New Orleans, about hustlers and pimps. He asks Clarence for a loan. Grudgingly Clarence gives it to him. Then it all begins to unravel and the very survival of the family comes into doubt.
“Tiger Tiger Burning Bright” is well-written and intelligent play with a genuine feel for the underside of life and the everyday people it affects. Sam Nickens has directed it with a natural fluidity and brought forth some monumental performances from his cast.
At the top of course is Mama, glowingly portrayed by Regina Randolph, she is a feisty woman who won’t stand for any nonsense, even if it's right. Damien Burke, while not very catlike, brings a dark internal lure to Clarence while Richard John Reliford ably makes Dan the comic relief up until the end of the play when he is forced out of his small world. Perhaps the most stunning performance of the evening comes from DaShawn Barnes, who takes the shy Cille and lets her emerge as a grown woman. Barika A. Croom is wonderful as Adelaide, who knows when she is being hustled and isn’t afraid to hustle back. Janai Dionne is a fountain of livelinessas Celeste, who provides a joyful, street sensible outlook, and Collin St. Dic as her brother Dewey brings a warm and genuine aura to a nice but insecure young man. James E. Hurd, Jr. brings an evil ease and strength to Deacon Sittre while Gilbert Hancock is more than appropriately slimy as Clarence’s business associate Mr. Keres.
Production values in this Upward Bound Production are strong. Chris Covics set and lights effectively stretch from a graveyard, to a backyard, into a kitchen and outside again to the back of the house. Naila Aladdin Sanders costumes are appropriate, even if some look a bit more like the early ‘60’s than the 50’s. The slight time distortion also applies to Dan’s hair. Who gave him a a short afro wig, a style that didn’t develop until the mid-60’s? But a couple of minor design glitches don’t diminish the effectiveness of this play.
“This is an intelligently directed, beautifully written and exceptionally well-performed play.
“Tiger Tiger Burning Bright” performs at the Stella Adler Theatre, 6773 Hollywood Blvd., at Highland Hollywood, 90028; Thurs., Fri., Sat. at 8, Sun. at 3 through May 22. Low-priced validated parking is available across the street at Hollywood and Highland Center. For tickets and information call 323-960-7740 or go online to http://www.plays411.com/tiger
It tells the story of the Morris family, living in New Orleans in the early 1950’s, during the Korean War. A telegram sits enshrined on the wall, telling of the eldest son’s death in the war. It is a consolation to remind Mama that her oldest son didn’t wind up as a criminal. Three children remain: Clarence, now the eldest; Dan, well-intentioned but a bit slow; and their sister Cille, the conscience of the family and the youngest.
Clarence, who has a good job with the Telegraph Company, has become the man of the family and is continually bringing the bonuses he receives home to Mama. But the draft looms over Clarence’s head and he may not be around for much longer. There are only three payments left on the house and he wants to be sure the family’s taken care of.
Neighbors also figure into the mix. Most notably Adelaide Smith, who has her eyes for Clarence even though Mama is trying to get her to marry Dan. Then come Celeste and Dewey, brother and sister from next door. She’s trying to fix Dewey up with Cille.
But something is off. Cille confronts Clarence about the fact that he’s sneaking out the window every night. Something’s changed in him and he’s keeping secrets. Meanwhile Mama happily accepts the money he brings her and calls him her “big tiger cat.” When Uncle Sittre, a deacon in the local church, drops by for a visit he tells Mama of all the sin going on in New Orleans, about hustlers and pimps. He asks Clarence for a loan. Grudgingly Clarence gives it to him. Then it all begins to unravel and the very survival of the family comes into doubt.
“Tiger Tiger Burning Bright” is well-written and intelligent play with a genuine feel for the underside of life and the everyday people it affects. Sam Nickens has directed it with a natural fluidity and brought forth some monumental performances from his cast.
At the top of course is Mama, glowingly portrayed by Regina Randolph, she is a feisty woman who won’t stand for any nonsense, even if it's right. Damien Burke, while not very catlike, brings a dark internal lure to Clarence while Richard John Reliford ably makes Dan the comic relief up until the end of the play when he is forced out of his small world. Perhaps the most stunning performance of the evening comes from DaShawn Barnes, who takes the shy Cille and lets her emerge as a grown woman. Barika A. Croom is wonderful as Adelaide, who knows when she is being hustled and isn’t afraid to hustle back. Janai Dionne is a fountain of livelinessas Celeste, who provides a joyful, street sensible outlook, and Collin St. Dic as her brother Dewey brings a warm and genuine aura to a nice but insecure young man. James E. Hurd, Jr. brings an evil ease and strength to Deacon Sittre while Gilbert Hancock is more than appropriately slimy as Clarence’s business associate Mr. Keres.
Production values in this Upward Bound Production are strong. Chris Covics set and lights effectively stretch from a graveyard, to a backyard, into a kitchen and outside again to the back of the house. Naila Aladdin Sanders costumes are appropriate, even if some look a bit more like the early ‘60’s than the 50’s. The slight time distortion also applies to Dan’s hair. Who gave him a a short afro wig, a style that didn’t develop until the mid-60’s? But a couple of minor design glitches don’t diminish the effectiveness of this play.
“This is an intelligently directed, beautifully written and exceptionally well-performed play.
“Tiger Tiger Burning Bright” performs at the Stella Adler Theatre, 6773 Hollywood Blvd., at Highland Hollywood, 90028; Thurs., Fri., Sat. at 8, Sun. at 3 through May 22. Low-priced validated parking is available across the street at Hollywood and Highland Center. For tickets and information call 323-960-7740 or go online to http://www.plays411.com/tiger
