“In the Red and
Brown Water” by Tarell Alvin McCraney is a coming of age story about a spunky
runner named Oya. Oya can earn a track scholarship for any school, yet she
declines her offers to take care of her mother, Momma Moja. When Oya’s mother
dies recently after, Oya’s metamorphosis from a young girl into an independent
woman begins. Oya goes through an emotional journey after not only with love
affairs, but also with herself.
The most
important part of the story to me is when Oya’s mother died. She was what held
her together. It was clear from her she taught her a set of morals and values
that she had to carry on the rest of the story. At one point in the story her
lover Shango gets to her by saying the Momma Moja will always be in her heart
and with her. This is a breaking point for Oya where she gives in, falls for
Shango, and allows herself to be treated poorly by him. This is something Moja
would not have put up with. Oya needed to learn some lessons on her own without
her mother’s protectiveness, but with her as a guide to maturity.
Tarell Alvin
McCraney not only wrote a fantastic plot, but interesting dialogue as well,
which can be one of the most difficult to write. The dialogue sometimes sounded
poetic though other times was slightly incomprehensible with the heavy usage of
slang. With the script, anyone can agree though the most compelling part of the
play was the fact the characters used stage direction along with dialogue.
Direction such as “Enter Shango” and “Oya smiles”, to list a few, was not only
experimental, but shifted your focus in the play. You were able to understand
the character’s emotions more clearly which made it easier on the actors.
I
have seen many live theater performances before in various theaters and with
various mediums. Living so close to the city, I have had the wonderful
opportunities to see dozens of Broadway shows to name a few Rent, Wicked, Cats,
and 42nd Street. I enjoy going to dance shows as well and have seen
numerous performances from Alvin Alley Company, New York City Ballet, and even
Radio City Rockettes. This performance was in fact my first live theater show
I’ve seen in State College let alone any college. I was pleasantly surprised at
the professionalism the actors portrayed and how they stayed true to their
characters. Although lacking in props, scenery and extravagant music in the
other shows I’ve seen in the past, it gave this show an intimate environment
that fit the nature of the show.
I
thought the actors were well fit for the show and very talented. I enjoyed my
time at the Playhouse Theater, yet at times I felt uncomfortable. The dialogue
included a lot of profanity and language that would make me cringe. I think
this is what art is supposed to do. It is better if art gives you negative
feelings than no feelings at all by pushing boundaries. It is better if art
resents our understanding of the world to give us new meaning and outlook.
