Review of "Flyin' West"

 

Female Black empowerment is front and center in Flyin’ West, playing at the Westport Country Playhouse through June 16^th. 

The historical drama takes place in Nicodemus, Kansas, circa 1898, an all-black town that was settled by African Americans after the Civil War.  Two sisters and their elderly friend are homesteaders battling the elements and themselves as they strive for a fulfilled life.  Enter sister number three and her husband, direct from London.  She would love to return to the small-town existence.  He, a smartly dressed, light skinned African American, who is having deep financial issues, wants nothing to do with the town and its residents.  This friction and rancor among the women and husband set off a chain of events, which changes everyone’s lives forever.

 

L-R:  Keona Welch, Michael Chenevert, Brenda Pressley, Brittany Bradford, and Nikiya Mathis in “Flyin’ West,” by Pearl Cleage, directed by Seret Scott, at Westport Country Playhouse, now playing through June 16. (203) 227-4177.  www.westportplayhouse.org   

Photo by Carol Rosegg

Playwright Pearl Cleage has taken a little-known aspect of the African American migration and population of the Western United States and created an interesting, somewhat overly drawn-out tale of survival and women’s self-determination.  There is a significant amount of exposition and plot set-up in Act I.  The payoff is an enthralling, wholly satisfying Act II.  Her main characters are compelling and well-defined as we become engrossed in their daily activities and their ultimate deed.

The cast is uniformly fine.  The three sisters—Brittany Bradford (Fannie), Nikiya Mathis (Sophie), and Keona Welch (Minnie) as well as Minnie’s husband, Frank (Michael Chenevert)—are standouts.  Nikiya Mathis, playing the oldest sister, gives her character a well-worn edge and plain-spoken approach to matters.  As a shotgun toting, no-nonsense woman she is not someone to mess with.  Brittany Bradford is more the ying to her older sister’s yang.  Full of life and spirit she displays an outward radiance and optimistic demeanor that, nevertheless, masks a burdensome past.   Keona Welch, the baby sister, portrays Minnie as carefree and happy, but layers her performance with hurt and trepidation.  Michael Chenevert is alternatingly charismatic and chilling as Minnie’s self-loathing Mulatto husband.

 

L-R:  Keona Welch, Brittany Bradford, and Nikiya Mathis in “Flyin’ West,” by Pearl Cleage, directed by Seret Scott, at Westport Country Playhouse, now playing through June 16. (203) 227-4177.  www.westportplayhouse.org   

Photo by Carol Rosegg

Director Seret Scott’s staging of the various vignettes in Act I are a mixed bag.  Some are more absorbing then others, which can give the production a meandering feel.  However, in Act II, when the whirlwind of events leads to a gripping and powerful conclusion Ms. Scott demonstrates an assured control of the play and its characters.  

The interior log cabin Set Design by Marjorie Bradley Kellogg is spacious and functional, giving audience members a glimpse to life and hardship on the Kansas plains.

Flyin’ West, an admirable start to Westport Country Playhouse’s new season.