The Center Stage production of Clybourne Park is one of two landmark plays running in rotating repertoire as The Raisin Cycle. MyCity4Her Media attended the Baltimore premiere on April 10 and joined a packed house ready and eager to enjoy this heady, comical, tongue in cheek theatre production that touches on many issues that are “hot buttons”, particularly for the Greater Baltimore community. The plays have garnered Pulitzer Prizes, Tony Awards and Theatre critic accolades; all this with good reason…
The material is meaty, the subject matter is multi-faceted and everyone can see a bit of themselves in some of the stories of Clybourne Park whatever their gender, sexual orientation or race.
The discussion of gentrification, segregation, female emancipation not to mention the uncanny timely revisiting of a returning veterans potential darkness and despair makes that this play has what plays rarely truly have – something for everybody.
It’s been quite a while since we’ve enjoyed such a satisfying theatrical experience. Center Stage’s Kwame-Kwei- Armah’sis to be commended for bringing this award winning work to the Baltimore Stage. Director Derrick Sanders’ steering of the subject matter and the actors is masterful. (To learn more about the cast and crew of the production click here.)The deft directing and brilliant choice of actors inflects just the right amount of insipid, lingering tugging of the heart strings and humor to keep you on the edge of your sea and largely what’s responsible for making it one of the best shows to see in the area at present.
Run – don’t walk to see Clybourne Park, you won’t regret it. Need we say more?
According to Center Stage…
Beneatha’s Place and Clybourne Park will be produced in rotating repertory as The Raisin Cycle, using a single company of actors and shared design team, under the direction of Derrick Sanders. In presenting Clybourne Park and Beneatha’s Place side by side, CENTERSTAGE will explore with its audiences the monumental legacy of A Raisin in the Sun and, through the conversation among these plays, a range of perspectives on the state of race and class in our contemporary communities.
Though each production runs through June 16, please check the calendar for specific performance dates.
PLEASE NOTE The plays in The Raisin Cycle can be seen in any order. Both plays were inspired by A Raisin in the Sunand characters from that play are seen in both Clybourne Park and Beneatha’s Place. Their story lines, however, do not depend on previous experience with A Raisin in the Sun and the plays each present different stories and themes. WhileBeneatha’s Place was written in response to Clybourne Park and A Raisin in the Sun it is not necessary to have seen either of those plays first.
To find out how to purchase tickets or learn more about both plays and the series click here. What is perhaps most interesting about this production is that it aims to foster discussion and a conversation. Center Stage has a whole series of events designed to keep people talking and continue expanding the cycle – to find out more click here.
To view a preview video of the play see below
To view the previous review of a Center Stage production (Mud Blue Sky) click here.