“JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING” : A POWERFUL COMEDY... TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

 As someone who owned a hair salon with my daughter for over thirty years, Jaja’s African Hair braiding Salon is a world apart and a mile different. 

Kicking off the la jolly playhouses 42nd season by mounting  Ghanaian-American Playwright Jocelyn Bioh’s award winning comedy Jaja’s African Hair braiding” (she also wrote “The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Nighttime”) as directed by Whitney White, hits all the right notes of joy, fear and expectation, especially in today’s climate of immigration paranoia and dread of deportation. 

Jaja’s salon is located in Harlem where most of the  women working there are West African immigrants with the exception of Jaja’s daughter Marie (Jordan Rice) who is a Dreamer. 

Victorie Charles and cast

The customers all consider Jaja’s a sacred and safe place where they can come sometimes, for the whole day, and when they leave, feel special oft times looking  like a new person with braids cascading down their backs. 

As for the ‘stylists’’ they come with  different personalities, from different countries, backgrounds and accents. They worry about being deported, but mostly, they work long hours in Jaja’s making a living to make ends meet. 

Set on a ghastly  hot summer day in 2019, Jaja’s daughter, high school graduate Marie, is running the salon as her mother is getting primped for her wedding day which  happens to be this particular day. 

Tiffany Renee Johnson, Bisserat Tseggai, Jordan Rice and Aisha Sougou

Not everyone in the salon, including Marie, is thrilled about Jaja’s choice of a new husband whom they do not trust (and for good reason which will be revealed, but no spoilers here). Jaja hopes that with this wedding she will be able to get her green card, her daughter can attend any college of her choice and deportation would be a thing of the past.

In the meantime , customers come and go, all with their own stories especially one wanting to look like  Beyoncé. 

The stylists work their fingers to the bone turning the customers’ hair from dowdy to cornrows, to jumbo box braids to cornrows to micro braids.

Tiffany Renee Johnson and Claudia Logan

Over the course of the day, this eclectic group of braiders laugh, dance, argue about which customers belong to who, watch African TV soaps, deal with jewelry hawkers peddling their wares, chide the skilled Aminata (Tiffany Renee Johnson), for giving her hard earned money to her lazy, out of work husband. And the beat goes on. 

To the letter, there isn’t a weak link in the ensemble which includes…stunning Jaja (Victorie Charles) who makes a brief but eye popping entranced in her wedding gown, Bea (Claudia Logan), Ndidi (Aisha Sougou) , Onye Eme- Akwari who plays several male roles and stylist Miriam ( Bisserat Tseggai), whose client (Mia Ellis) is a journalist.  Miriam is the only stylist whose story we hear about. 

Obie award winner and director, Whitney white, keeps the pace on the fast track, missing nary a beat. From braiding to sparring to dancing to having affection for one another, Jaja’s in Harlem is the place to be. 

David Zinn’s colorful set design is authentic looking from cans of hairspray on the shelves to two hanging tv sets to roll about chairs, mirrors on the walls and individual bags of hair looking like they are waiting to be braided.

Claudia Logan and Melanie Brezill, Jordan Rice in background

I couldn’t help but be blown away by Dede Ayite’s richly colored costumes( she became the first black woman to win a tony award for best costume design in a play) and Nikiya Mathis’ wig and hair design with Jiyoun Chang’s lighting.

Aisha Sougou (left) and Melanie Brezill

All of these women call America ‘home’ but in today’s world, they are outsiders. For Jaja and her followers, sadly, deportation is staring them in the eyes. 

Enjoy.

See you at the theatre.

When: Runs through June 15. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 7 p.m. Sundays

Where: La Jolla Playhouse,  Mandell Weiss Theatre, 

2910 La Jolla Village Drive, UC San Diego.

Photo: Rich Soublet II)

Tickets: $30-$90

Info: 858-550-1010

Online: lajollaplayhouse.org

“THE COUNTER” OFFERS UP A CUP OF JOE AND FRIENDSHIP AT MOXIE THEATRE.

 I Once Read That “A Friend Is Someone Who Likes You.”  

What makes A Good Friend? Someone who listens? Someone you’ve known for a long time? Someone with whom you have a history? 

I can count on my one hand the number of good friends with whom I could share my inner most secrets. (One passed two years ago) 

In Moxie’s latest play, “The Counter” by Meghan Kennedy, Katie (a steadfast, rich and staunch Kate Rose Reynolds) and Paul (steady and sympathetic  as he goes Mark Stevens) see each other six days a week at the local diner where Katie is behind the counter and Paul, the customer, sits at “The Counter”. 

Paul comes in each morning at about six am and has his first an/ or second cup of coffee of the day while Kate fusses around in back of the counter filling napkin holders, making coffee, cleaning off counters, wrapping silverware in napkins Etc. 

At first the conversation is about as serious as how much ice is on the ground. (they live somewhere up up N.Y. State.)

This goes on for about two years until Paul breaks the ice and wants to become ‘friends’, real friends that share secrets.  

He has a favor to ask of her.

Mark Stevens and Kate Rose Reynolds

Paul is in a funk. He’s had it with his life: Been there, done that. He has lived in this town all his life; was a firefighter, was in the Peace Corps, is a recovering alcoholic, had a secret love affair with one of the town’s well known citizens and is ready to be done with it all.

Kate, on the other hand, moved to this icy town just two years ago. She’s running away from something/someone and is a bit hesitant to share this with Paul. But Paul wants to share secrets. You tell me yours and I’ll tell you mine.  Eventually the friendship and trust grows and an unlikely alliance forms. 

She’s been running away from an embarrassing romantic moment  and has saved twenty seven voice messages from her boyfriend. She has not answered any of them and refused to for some time. Paul wants her to drop some poison into his coffee some morning but doesn’t want to know when. 

Mark Stevens and Kate Rose Reynolds

In a series of short scenes and blackouts, director Desireé Clarke Miller slowly moves the story forward as we see the loneliness in each character develop, sad as it may be. 

Kate refuses to drop a lethal dose of poison as Paul asks, but both she and Paul listen to the messages on Kate’s phone. He encourages her to return the calls while  she wants no part of poisoning Him. “Do it yourself” she retorts. 

While all this is going on, Peg (Kara Tuckfield), Paul’s old flame and town Doctor comes into the coffee shop before Paul on the pretense of getting some coffee cake. When Kate sees the two of them together, she understands the deepness of their relationship and understands Paul’s pain. 

In eighty minutes, or so the characters in “The Counter” go from unknown to we almost know them. Kennedy barely scratches the surface of these two vulnerable 'friends', and while in this reviewer's mind it's still a leap of faith for such an encounter to happen, stranger things do happen.  

Julie Lorenz’ set design makes it look realistic with working coffee machine and all the accoutrements necessary for a working restaurant. Colby Freel’s lighting design sets the atmosphere for time passing.  

The play does tell us that it is it is a sad commentary on lost communication between people who don’t really talk but text. 

It’s a sad commentary on where we are as a society afraid to make new friends we can trust.  

And it’s a sad commentary when our feelings are hushed and empathy is lost. 

Be Patient. The play is about eighty minutes long; time enough for reflection.

See you at the theatre.

When: 7 P.M. Thursdays; 8 P.M. Fridays And Saturdays; 2 P.M. Sundays. Through June 1st.

Where: Moxie Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd., Ste. N, Rolando

Tickets: $20-$48

Phone: 858-598-7620

Photo: Moxie Theatre

Online: Moxietheatre.Com

“HOUSE OF INDIA”

 The Old Globe in Balboa Park is presenting Deepak Kumar’s world premiere “House of India” on the Sheryl and Harvey White Stage through June 8th. 

It’s been a trend of late the use food, mostly ethnic, as the base of many plays. “House Of India” is that and much more. Based on the playwright’s own experiences of visiting his families favorite Indian Restaurant in Michigan when he was young, he set about putting pen to paper and ergo… “House Of India”.

Kumar moved his story to a strip mall in Ohio, where once it was a thriving business. But no more.

Built with the sweat, tears and dreams of Ananya’s (Mahira Kakkar) late husband, the two emigrated from India to open their (his) dream restaurant. Unfortunately, his life was cut short, leaving Ananya, her daughter, Vaidehi ( Supriya Ganesh) and their Thai friend, Jacob (Tommy Bo), who did the cooking with Ananya’s recipes, to carry on. For a time, the restaurant was bustling. 

Declining customers and sales gave way to Jacob suggesting integrating the Indian food with other foods (Indian Tacos?) to bring in more customers. That fell on deaf ears to both mother and daughter; absolutely not!

In the middle of this give and take, Ananya’s son Vikram (Deven Kolluri) shows up to supposedly write about the family restaurant. In case you ask, he’s on assignment, or so we are led to believe.

Supriya Ganesh, Tommy Bo, Mahira Kakkar, Deven Kolluri(back to us)

Now the whole mishpacha go round and round about the fate of the restaurant. But “House Of India” is more than that.  When the restaurant is vandalized, that was the last straw. Jacob suggests they make the restaurant into a fast food place and change the name; get rid of everything as it was, and go for broke, things don't break even for Jacob but he is determined.  

The acting is beyond wonderful; it’s sincere, heartfelt, realistic, and authentic.  At the core is Mahira Kakkar’s Ananya. Like most Moms, what she says, goes, much to the chagrin of Jacob. Jacob, on the other hand wants to make a big deal of the fact that the restaurant was vandalized; more like a hate crime. Naturally Ananya is beside herself with anger. 

Both she and Vaidehi (Supriya Ganesh) are vehemently opposed. Vaidehi has been working another job to help keep the restaurant afloat and has too much invested to let it go. She too is a star in her own right.

Deven Kolluri’s Vikram feels like an ‘also ran’ and needs more development if his character stays in the play. Tommy Bo is bursting with energy hard to capture. The question is, 'does he get his way?' You have to follow the dots in this surprising dramady. 

The playwright touches on immigration, (how this country was made on the backs of immigrants) racial violence, hate crimes, assimilation, family ties and priorities. (No spoilers here) but pay attention to Ananya’s last words.

Director Zi Alikhan lets the action flow at its own pace. 

Credit Chika Shimizu for set design, Cha See, lighting, Fan Zhang sound, and Rodrigo Muñoz, costumes. 

With a few small revisions here and there, this world premiere dramady should go places. 

Enjoy.

See you at the theatre.

When:  Opens May 15 and runs through June 8th. 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays

Where: Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego

Photo: Rich Soublet II

Tickets: $41 and up

Phone: 619-234-5623

Online: theoldglobe.org

“PERIL IN THE ALPS” OFFERS NON STOP FUN AT NORTH COAST REP.

 Run don’t walk to North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach where inhouse playwright Steven Dietz  (“Murder on the LInks”) is directing “Peril in the Alps” based in part on “Poirot Investigates” by Agatha Christie. 

Omri Schein and Valerie Larson

And who to play the Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot? Well, none other than the mustachioed, slow and  deliberately stepping Omri Schein. With him is his sidekick Captain Hastings (Valerie Larson). Both are on the verge of trying to solve a double murder. 

Think it’s easy? Not when you have mistaken identity, twin sisters of Captain Hastings wife  (Dulcinea and Bella, an acrobat gone missing from an upscale hat shop ), bumbling police, ominous messages, a missing gun, dangerous trips, a missing doctor, extortion and cups of cacao. And beware of a little Smurf like character with a long beard.

(FR) Gabbie Adner, Omri Schein, Valerie Larson 
(BR) Brian Mackey, Amanda Sitton Christopher M Williams

Armed with an excellent cast of six (Gabbie Adner, Valerie Larson, Brian Mackey, Amanda Sitton and Christopher M. Williams) all playing  over two dozen  characters with the flash of an eye. It’s almost like having your head on a swivel as the scenes change from London, to Paris to the Swiss Alps on Marty Burnett’s slick stage design with cabinets on either side holding various articles and much help from the backstage crew and clever props designers. It’s almost like being on a tilt-a-whirl ride at an Amusement park. 

Omri Schein and Valerie Larson

Brava to costume designer Elisa Benzoni for the excellent period attire and I can’t even tell you how many hats were exchanged or changed during the length of the almost 2 hour show. Peter Herman’s wigs; perfect as usual, Matthew Novotny different shades of atmosphere and sound designer Rai Fettmann gives us the eeriness needed to cause shivers. 

All in all, you will not be disappointed. in fact, you will laugh till your sides hurt.

Enjoy.

See you at the theatre.

Runs through May 18th. 7 p.m. Wednesdays  and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays.

Where: North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach

Photo: Aaron Rumley

Tickets: $57-$69

Phone: 858-481-1055

Online: northcoastrep.org

OLD GLOBE’S BROADWAY BOUND “REGENCY GIRLS” HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES.

TO THE WOMEN OF THE WORLD OF 1810:

YOU GOT FEMALE TROUBLES? THE REGENCY GIRLS CAN FIX THEM.

YOU NEED AN ABORTION? THE REGENCY GIRLS CAN LEAD YOU TO THE RIGHT PERSON.

YOU NEED TO FIND YOUR SWEET SPOT? YUP, THE GIRLS CAN DO "(JANE FINDS HER TINGLE”)

YOU NEED TO BE IN CHARGE OF YOUR OWN FATE? YES. THE REGENCY GIRLS CAN HELP WITH THAT AS WELL.


THE OLD GLD GLOBE’S RECENT OFFERING, THE WORLD PREMIERE  “REGENCY GIRLS” BY JENNIFER CRITTENDEN AND GABRIELLE ALLEN; COMPOSER CURTIS MOORE AND LYRICIST AMANDA GREEN, ALL WHOSE COMEDY CREDITS RANGE FROM ‘THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL” TO “SEINFELD” COMBINE RESOURCES TO MAKE “REGENCY GIRLS”.

THE  WRITERS BEGAN WORK ON THIS PROJECT IN 2018 JUST ABOUT WHEN COVID HIT. THEN THE SUPREME COURT OVERRULED ROE V WADE IN 2022 ADDING TO THE MORE IMMEDIACY OF THIS SHOW.

QUESTION? WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE SINGLE AND ‘WITH CHILD’, MIDDLE CLASS AND IT’S 1810, NOT 2025, BUT IN THIS CLIMATE, SERIOUSLY?

AS THE STORY GOES, FOUR MIDDLE CLASS WOMEN, JANE, (KATE  ROCKWELL) ELINOR,(ISABELLE McCALLA) HER MAID DABNEY(KRYSTINA ALABADO) AND ELINOR’S BEST FRIEND PETUNIA (RYANN  REDMOND) VENTURE OUT ON A BUGGY TRIP TO DISCOVER THE WAYS OF THE WORLD, BUT MOSTLY ABOUT THEIR OWN BODIES, BOTH SEXUAL AND ANATOMICAL. (“FEMALE TROUBLE”). THE BUGGY IS  BIG ENOUGH FOR LUGGAGE AND PERSONAL ITEMS.

KRYSTINA ALABADO, KATE ROCKWELL,ISABELLE McCALLA, RYAN REDMOND

SINCE BOTH ELINOR AND DABNEY ARE PREGNANT WITHOUT BENEFIT OF MARRIAGE, THEIR GOAL IS TO MEET UP WITH MIDWIFE/ABORTIONIST MADAME RESTELL (JANINE LAMANNA) AND GET INFO ON BIRTH CONTROL.


BOTH ELINOR AND PETUNIA DRESSED AS MEN AND  ARE ABLE TO GET ACCESS TO A RAUCOUS BAR SCENE WHERE THEY DRINK AND MAKE MERRY. (“MAN THINGS”) AND THEIR OPINIONS ARE MORE VALUED THAN THEIR FEMALE COUNTERPARTS.

Isabelle McCalla

THEY MEET UP WITH SEVERAL CHARACTERS ALONG THE WAY THE MOST MEMORABLE WOULD BE GABE GIBBS WHO PLAYS BOTH MASKED BANDIT GALLOPING DICK WHO ROBS THE WOMEN OF THEIR EARTHLY GOODS AND DINGLEY, ELINOR’S PAR AMOUR. HE’S DASHING, BUT AN OAF WITH A WANDERING EYE.

DECEIT AND PRETENCE ARE A REOCCURRING THEMES RUNNING THROUGH “REGENCY GIRLS” BUT IT’S LOADED WITH OUTRAGEOUS  FUN AND KNEE SLAPPING LAUGHS.

JOSH RHODES DIRECTS AND CHOREOGRAPHS A CAST OF NINE WITH SEVEN ENSEMBLE  MEMBERS AND FOUR SWINGS AND THERE ARE NO LESS THAN TWENTY SONGS RANGING FROM “MAN THINGS” TO “WERE NEVER GOING BACK THERE AGAIN”, “LEAVE IT TO THE MEN”, (OY) AND “USEFUL” AMONG OTHERS ALL UNDER THE BATON OF MUSICAL DIRECTOR PATRICK SULKEN.


YOU WON’T SEE ANY MORE ELEGANT, GLAMOROUS OR FITTING COSTUMES ANYWHERE THAN THOSE OF DAVID I. REYNOSO’S. ALL DESIGNED FOR THE PERSONALITIES THEY REPRESENT.

ANNA LOUIZOS DESIGNED THE SETS, ADAM HONORÉ, THE LIGHTING AND JASON CRYSTAL THE SOUND.

THE PRODUCTION GOES ON FOR 2+HOURS WHICH IS A MITE TOO LONG WITH ONLY ONE INTERMISSION.

I HAD IT FROM A RELIABLE SOURCE THAT THE FIRST ACT WAS EVEN LONGER. I KNOW THE MATERIAL IS GREAT FUN, BUT SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO LEAVE SOME OF IT ON THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR.

BAR ROOM SCENE

TIGHTENING IT A BIT AND KEEPING THE HILARITY GOING SHOULD BE THE GOAL.

IT’S NASTY FUN WITH NO HOLDS BARRED AND HAS ALREADY BEEN EXTENDED ONCE.

IT IS LOOKING TOWARD BROADWAY. WHO KNOWS, BUT GET YOUT TICKETS BEFORE IT CLOSES.



When:  Runs through May 11. 

7 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays
Where: Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego
Photo: Jim Cox
Tickets: $45 and up
Phone: 619-234-5623
Online: theoldglobe.org

“ LA HAVANA MADRID”: AN IMMIGRANTS NIGHTMARE AS TOLD IN STORIES AND MUSIC

 New Village Arts in Carlsbad is currently presenting Sandra Delgado’s world premiere docudrama/musical “La Havana Madrid” based on true stories from immigrants back in the late 50’s early  60’s who came to this country to make a new life for themselves and families. 

They came from Columbia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and for the most part landed in Chicago. If you are from Chicago (which I am not) you will recognize all the places mentioned in the stories told by the new immigrants just settling there. It is also about the stories and the music that puts this experience among one of the best and most relevant productions to be seen in the county given the political climate today. 

Michelle Caravia

Directed with his usual flair by Richard Trujillo, with original music by Cristian Amigo and original lyrics by Sandra Delgado.  It is set on the wide stage of NVA as designed by Christopher Scott Murillo and Scott Murillo like a nightclub (aka La Havana Madrid) with scenes showing various projections of the different time periods by Michael Wogulis and with elaborate period costumes by Jess Moreno Caycho. 

The Cast

The six very talented casts members (Lena Ceja, Fredy Gomez Cruz, Jawann McBeth, Alyssa Rodriguez, Leonardo Romero, Adrianna Cuba Cuentas and Paul Surel) plus two swings manage every Latin American dance number and lyric with precision and panache. Behind a curtain is a live band under musical director Carlos Ordiano on Bass others include: Joe Aportela, Percussions, MG Green, Guitar, Gabriella Hendricks, Horns and Carson Inouye, Keyboards. *

Lena Ceja

Standing in as the Emcee or the character La Havana Madrid is the exceptionally talented Michelle Caravia. Caravia sets the stage for the series of stories that follow beginning with the thousands of youngsters sent to America  and landed in Chicago as told my Maria (Alyssa  Rodriguez).  They were sent away to escape from the Castro takeover. Most were placed in foster homes, others sent to orphanages all over the city, or on their own to fend for themselves. 

Jawann McBeth

There are stories of gangs and riots in certain parts of Chicago and just like today, the police shoot randomly without regard of who or what gets killed as in one story a teenager was killed in the city because of the color of his skin, or a young Puerto Rican woman was attacked by gang members on the subway.  One couple said their vows in two separate churches in two separate countries; one in the States and one in Columbia. 

Lena Ceja

The stories and the music go on for two + hours with one intermission. There are so many more  stories and in much more detail than I could cover here that it would be well worth your while to see it for yourselves. 

One of the things I found entertaining was when the actors broke the fourth wall and chatted with the audience. It gave the production a feeling of community.

Alyssa Rodriguez

Aside from being an integral part of the Latino experience, the good , the bad, the ugly, I couldn’t stop thinking about the border raids, the busses filled with immigrants, both legal and illegal,  going off to places unknown, the random shootings, and the hate! And this is 2025 not 1959. 

Alyssa Rodriguez, Fredy Gomez Cruz, Lena Ceja

See for yourselves.

See you at the theatre.

*Artistic Director and founder of NVA  Kristiannne Kurner announced that after nine or so years of not having live music, NVA went all out and for “La Havana Madrid” the live band makes all the difference.

When: Opens March 29 and runs through April 27. 2 p.m. Wednesdays; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays

Where: New Village Arts, 2787 State St., Carlsbad

Tickets: $40 and up

Photo: Tanya Perez Photography

Phone: 760-433-3245

Online: newvillagearts.org

 

DYNAMIC “3 SUMMERS OF LINCOLN” OPENS TO RAUCUS AUDIENCE FEEDBACK.

If you are looking for a musical that has dazzling dancing (Jon Rua and Daniel J. Watts) rousing musical numbers (R&B, Jazz, marches,),  and thoughtful ballads, is 50% singing (Daniel J. Watts and Joe DiPietro and Crystal Monee Hall),  with original book by Joe DiPietro) and without exception, brilliant direction (Christopher Ashley) look no further than The La Jolla Playhouse’s “3 Summers of Lincoln.”

Quentin Earl Darrington and Ivan Hernandez

It’s based on historical happenings by two time Tony winner Di Pietro taken from actual speeches and clippings  of that time era.  It’s about war, but not the war to end all wars, it’s about race but in today’s environment no one would ever know Abraham Lincoln (a more laid back and even handed Ivan Hernandez who eerily resembles Lincoln) signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

The play opens in 1862.

By the book Lincoln and abolitionist Frederick Douglass (a brilliant and strong willed and dynamic Quentin Earl Darrington with a voice to match his personality) had all but agreed to stop the fighting if Blacks were freed of their servitude and free to enlist in the army. Both men changed each other, according to director Ashley: ‘Lincoln from a careful politician to a bold action taker because of Douglass.'

Eric Anderson (Center) and dancers

The fact that Lincoln thought if the Blacks were freed they could all settle in Central America was a  non -starter for Douglass. “What the president doesn’t understand is that we are not strangers in this land.”

Toward the end of his first term as president, Lincoln and Douglass met over the course of three summers (“Here I Am”). The meetings were held behind closed doors, (“Behind The Door”). They were  cordial. They debated in a civil manner, they quoted Shakespeare, but most importantly they talked about how they could end slavery and bring the war to a peaceful end, especially since the Union Army was losing hundreds of thousands of troops under the inept leadership of General George B. McClellan who is caustic, cowardly, somewhat comical as played by Eric Anderson. McClellan  later ran against Lincoln for President. (“4 Miles From Richmond”)

Quentin Earl Darrington 

There is a lot going on in this two plus hour production that to reveal it all would leave nothing to the imagination of all newcomers. Just know that you are in for a treat with the relevance  of this material. 

Aside from the strong leads, standouts include Douglass’ daughter, Rosetta (Naomi Tiana  Rogers). John Andrew Morrison  the White House usher and Lincoln's valet,William Slade. He had  Lincoln’s ear when the president needed a friend and Slade stayed loyal throughout.

Serving the cause, Mary Todd Lincoln (marvelous Carmen Cusack), who was grieving the loss of her favorite son Willie, (“Mother’s Suite”) helped the wounded write letters home, (“In Each letter”). Friend and dressmaker Elizabeth (Saycon Sengbloh) are also supportive as opposed to Postmaster General Montgomery Blair (local Gino Carr sporting a southern accent) who walked out of a session with Lincoln when they spoke of freeing the slaves.

Evan Ruggiero (front center)

Rua and Watt’s choreography(“Pounding On The Rock”) is some of the best I’ve seen in some time especially the tap. (I would be remiss if I failed to mention Evan Ruggiero a professional dancer who lost his right leg to cancer but re learned to dance and was a powerhouse performer in most of the dance numbers.) He opened the first act.

The combination of scenic designer Derek McLane, projection designers David Bengali and Hana S. Kim’s and lighting designer Amanda Zieve filled the stage with so much information; i.e. printing press blocks, (there is an actual replica of a printing press operated by Douglass in some scenes)  American flags, actual written letters and papers that it was a bit overwhelming to keep one’s focus, albeit individually, they told the story. Costume designer Toni-Leslie James’ clothes were period correct and especially the women were  beautifully dressed. 

Quentin Earl Darrington  on platform

Locals present in the show, Geno Carr (mentioned earlier) Eric Anderson who played Tateh in “Ragtime” some time ago at Moonlight and  Bets Malone plays Ms. Ava. 

Ivan Hernandez

My greatest complaint, one of a few; Jonathan Deans and Mike Tracey’s sound design was deafening. Even as I adjusted my own hearing device it did no good. For the future…tune it down. 

And, of course, as in any new work of art, some tightening and cutting is required. 

Overall, however, I will confess I found “3 Summers of Lincoln” a breath of fresh air, stimulating. We here in this country need a breath of fresh air from all the divisiveness and hate going on right now. 

Enjoy. 

See you at the theatre.

When: Now playing through April 6. Show times vary.

Where: Mandell Weiss Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla

Photo: Rich Soublet II.

Tickets: $30 and up. Availability is limited.

Info: 858-550-1010

Online: lajollaplayhouse.org