Trigger Warning: sexual assault is a primary subject in this piece.
Spoilers ahead
You should see this show.
Loy A. Web’s script is a bit heavy-handed at times but the subject(s) and the conversations they can prompt override that. It’s filled with quick turns and twists and surprises.
The show opens in an ordinary apartment. Rashad is rehearsing how he will propose to his girlfriend, Genesis. Asaru Buffalo plays the role of Rashad, and he is perfectly charming. This opening scene is lovely and joyful and playful, and I loved it. Genesis, played by Shakori Jennings-Shuler, enters her apartment, and is not in the same good spirits as Rashad. Genesis is a school principal and has discovered that one of her new teachers, someone she admires and respects, feels that Brett Cavanaugh is being judged unfairly. Genesis is disappointed and surprised at her new colleague’s stance and wonders whether how she can reconcile herself to their obvious political differences. (I daresay that at some point in the last 9 years we all have found ourselves in a similar situation.)
Rashad tried to lift her spirits and his ploy begins to work. Genesis then accuses him of not knowing “today’s” significance. It’s revealed that it’s their anniversary. He has, of course, completely forgotten this. The engagement ring steps in as an anniversary gift. The proposal is gleefully and tearfully accepted. Joy ensues. He has planned to recreate their first date and has obtained at great cost tickets to a concert by her favorite artist. How happy can two people be?
Hold my beer.
The headliner and producer of this concert is the fictional rapper Kashif. Kashif has been a source of conflict between Rashad & Genesis before. Genesis condemns Kashif for his misogyny. Rashad supports Kashif for the good he does for the community. Genesis initially tells Rashad Kashif raped a friend of hers in college. She admits her friend did not report the rape. Rashad has been falsely accused of domestic assault; he had been a football player with a bright future. These dreams evaporated with the false accusation. He is also the custodial parent of his daughter.
Rashad implores Genesis to understand his existence as a Black man who is never afforded the benefit of the doubt. Genesis implores Rashad to understand her position as a black woman in an unending struggle to be seen and valued as being black and as a woman.
Spoiler alert: Genesis reveals it was not a friend who was raped, but herself. The opening scene set the stakes really high. I won’t tell you how it ends.
It was nice to see two young actors honing their craft. There were no bios in the program, so I have no idea about the work the actors have done previously. Ms. Jennings-Shuler needs to watch her volume and energy. There were times I lost what she was saying because she spoke so softly. Her final soliloquy was powerful, and she delivered it with anger and frustration. Mr. Buffalo needed to kick up the volume a bit; he may have been suffering from a cold or allergies. His focus on Ms. Jennings-Shuler’s monologue never faltered. He remained focused on her the entire time.
The set was completely serviceable. It would be nice to have a coat rack or a hook on the back of a door for Rashad to hang his jacket. Otherwise, there was nothing to really detract from the performances.
I saw the Thursday performance with friends who are also actors. It was a diverse group; one Black man, two Black women, and one white woman. We went out afterwards and talked and argued and discussed the show for over two hours. The disrespect and devaluation of Black men and women, the irreparable damage of false accusations, the very personal perceptions of what constitutes “rape”… it was enlightening on many levels. That’s what good theatre does - it opens the door to conversation and debate, which is how we all move forward. Unfortunately you have only two more chances to see this show. Take one of those opportunities. You won’t be disappointed.