Written by Anna Deavere Smith and directed by Marc Bruni the play will by showing through July 2nd on the Mandell Weiss Stage.
There are so many wonderful things about BJK to say. In particular, her fight for equity for women in sports, her number one standing in Wimbledon winning twenty one titles, thirteen U.S. Open titles, four French Open and two Australian. And her big win in 1973 against male chauvinist Bobby Riggs, beating him in consecutive sets, (he claimed she could never do it). Yours truly watched with glee along with the other million or so on T.V. as she whipped his arse. No doubt she is a legend in her own right.
The one thing that was not evident in “Love All” was warm and fuzzy; real feelings, emotions. What we saw in "Love All" was what many of us could have read about or already knew: her concentration on being the best of the best, her quest for equality, putting her goals above all as family, children, self was all consuming and she was willing to risk it all for being # 1, which she did.
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| Rebecca S'Manga, Bianca Amato, Chinila Kennedy as as BJK In |
In the theatre world, Anna Deavere Smith is best known for her one woman shows where she plays multiple characters in her stories. Her first Broadway debut being “Twilight in Los Angeles”, 1992 about the riots in L.A. including victim’s politicians, and police. “Fires in The Mirror” about the deaths of a Black American boy and a young Orthodox Jewish scholar in Crown Heights where she interviewed over fifty members of the Black and Jewish communities. Most of her works are docudrama’s.
The two together with director Marc Bruni, who directed “Beautiful: The Carole King Story”, “Music Man” on Broadway, “Other People’s Money” among others, are a treasure trove of talent. Combine the above with Robert Brills animated sets, Ann Hould-Wards period costumes, Jiyoun Chang’s lighting design, Darron L. Wests sound, and S. Katy Tuckers projections and a full cast of 11 or so, some playing multiple roles, should make for exceptional, spectacular theatre.
Unfortunately, it was not.
It wasn’t just one thing. It was too much documentary, too many actual news clips chronologizing the entire upside down sixties with the shootings of J.F.K to Muhammad Ali refusing to be drafted, to M.L.K Jr. being assassinated to Robert Kennedy’s assassination, Rodney King, Nixon congratulating B.J.K. to news -reels of interviews. So much of that stopped the flow of who this woman was and is and it sucked the energy out of the room, up to and including her abortion. Once again no emotional involvement was rendered, shown or given.
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| Chilina Kennedy and Justin Withers |
It did show how her parents were supportive especially from her mother. She actually made a pair of shorts for her to wear, for a photo shoot. Unfortunately shorts were barred from wearing them. Girls were relegated to wearing skirts. It showed BJK. testifying before the Senate to get Title IX passed (Equal access to sports education: a biggie).and she did. But wait! Even today women are still fighting for equal pay; think Women’s Soccer.
What was missing ? Heart. Emotional tugs. Connection to anything outside her being #1.
The acting overall was rather strong from Rebecca S’Manga Franks’ Althea Gibson, to Elena Hurst as Rosie Casals to Chilina Kennedy as B.J.K and others, Justin Withers as Arthur Ashe the first Black tennis athlete to gain stardom, he did not support King at first in her bid for equal pay (shame on him), Allison Spratt Pearce as Margaret Court, King’s rival on the court, John Kroft as Larry King, Billie’s long term business partner and husband who was the only one in the show to show kindness and vulnerability.
In an interview she once said, ‘I’m going to be No. 1 in the world and I want to make a difference and be a change agent,” and she was.
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| Billie Jean King with Chilina Kennedy |
No doubt, with some tweaking, culling and perhaps a little more heart and emotional tug, “Love All” may go on to other venues where the audiences will love King as much as they do in San Diego. Example: When Ms. King was introduced to the audience, she got a standing ovation. It was noted that it might be a first; getting a standing ovation before the show even began. BTW she also got another one when the show ended. We never did see the "The Battle Of The Sexes". Bummer!
The ball is now in their court to change or not.
See you at the theatre.
When: Through July 2nd
Showtimes, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays
Where: Mandell Weiss Theatre at La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla
Tickets: $25-$85
Photo: Rich Soublet II
Phone: (858) 550-1010
Online: lajollaplayhouse.org
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