CONFEDERATES – Written by Dominique Morisseau; Directed by Marisa D. Hebert. Produced by Curious Theatre Company (presented at 1080 Acoma St, Denver) through December 8. Tickets available at 303-623-2349 or at curioustheatre.org.
A set of circumstances beyond my control has prevented me from writing about this show earlier in the run. I apologize as I would like to have encouraged more people to see, feel, and contemplate this exciting production. As with all Curious productions, CONFEDERATES will bring you a riveting story that thoughtfully explores the good, the bad, and the ugly of modern life often using the past as a starting point. They generally encourage recognition of and contemplation of solutions to the problems that – no matter how far we have advanced – still exist.
This production and script illuminate one such comparison. It offers a lot to absorb. The dialogue is dense and the emotions expressed are complicated.
Also, you can always safely anticipate an outstanding cast that brings the script to thoughtful life. Such is the case with the current production. The cast of five represents characters from both the life of the enslaved during the Civil War and the modern dilemma of a university educator caught in the crux of a dilemma not of her own making. The cast moves easily – with the device of on-stage costume changes and small adjustments to the set – back and forth between each person’s story. Kenya Mahogany Fashaw as Sandra gives a riveting performance of a tough but fair professor. She is knowledgeable, humane, and demanding of the best from her students. The thoughtlessness of two of her most promising students puts her in an untenable position for which there is no easy solution.
Kristina Fountaine is feisty and funny as a fellow educator with high expectations for friendship based on nothing more than their mutual skin color. She doubles as a devious house servant in the home of a Confederate officer. Tresha Farris plays Sara, another house servant, who enlists her brother Abner (Cameron Davis) in a plan to enter the war as a soldier. Cameron also doubles as Malik, an excellent student being mentored by Sandra. His poor judgment initiates the situation that evolves out of control. Rachel Turner originally provides a subtle touch of humor as a sexually awakened daughter of the Confederacy who REALLY wants Sara to like her – and – a student trying REALLY hard for a good grade from Sandra in her second role. The two stories move in tandem to a frustrating but realistic conclusion.
A beautiful set that doubles as both the plantation library and a university office was designed by Mathew Crane. Richard Devin’s lighting allows for subtle differences in location and adds drama to the costume changes. Nicole Watts design for the versatile costumes of both eras allows for smooth transitions and authenticity.
You’ve got one weekend left to catch this exciting new play.
A WOW factor of 8.50!!