How does one write about segregation, anti-Semitism, drug abuse, familial abuse and a host of other nasty terms to describe how a family can sink into the abyss of absolutely hating one another? Most likely by one who has lived it, been the object of it and participated in it; well, maybe not all of it, but perhaps some at least.
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| Cast of "Appropriate" |
Now through Feb.23rd the Old Globe in Balboa Park is presenting Branden Jacobs-Jenkins 2011 production of “Appropriate”, a 2024 Tony Award winner for Best Revival of a Play, now under the direction of Steve H. Broadnax III who does yeoman’s work at keeping the Lafayette’s in place.
The fact that Jacobs-Jenkins is Black and I am Jewish, we could have written this play together, but…we didn’t. It’s all Jacob-Jenkins and it’s biting, oft funny in some dark, odd -ball way, devastating to the fragility of the Lafayette family in Arkansas where, in the way back of their plantation property is a cemetery plot where Black slaves are buried.
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| The Siblings |
Each of the Lafayette offspring (and there are three) gather at the estate to sell and auction off some belongings, and reap the ‘harvest’ from its sale. But in the process, the sins of the father; slave holding and race baiting are passed on to the children in different ways, that not even a plunge on the property lake can wash away. Just to be clear, it took seven generations to get to where we are now and it seems nothing much has changed in the generational time -line except for the use of cell phones and of course dress and drugs among other things. The time is 2011.
Of the three Lafayette adult children, Toni, Bo and Frank. (Maggie, Steve Kazee and Daniel Pedzoid) in that order, Toni, the oldest is filled with rage over the hand that has been dealt her while dealing with a troubled teen aged son Ryhs and taking care of her late father..
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| Brynn Gauthier and Daniel Pedzold |
She has been named the executor of the estate; another reason for her siblings to resent her. Frank, or Franz as he later would call himself, the youngest, witnessed too much at a young age that left him damaged in a haze of alcohol and drugs and Bo, in the middle, traveled from the east coast with his wife and young children only to fume and fuss when he finds out Toni is executor of the estate.
As they argue and accuse each other of the most unkind and verbal (too much screaming for these ears) abuse including anti-Semitic slurs, an old scrapbook from the attic appears. Looking through the photos, a din falls over the house and from there on, the you know what hits the fan. The secrets that the sibs thought were only hearsay were in pictures right under their noses. To say more would spoil it for you.
No doubting that the performances are top notch although the play, a 2/12 hour drama with a few funny jabs in between, went on too long and OH the screaming over one another was maddening.
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| Maggie Lacy and Steve Kazee |
Maggie Lacey’s Toni on the edge throughout never let her anger get in the way of whatever anyone else had to say. Small in stature, she carried a big stick and managed to zap everyone in her sight. Steve Kazee’s Bo came into the picture sort of neutral at first but as the play moved on and their true selves poked through his greedy self, showed. Frank, who came with his girlfriend River (Brynn Gauthier), came to apologize for the troubles he caused his family. Even the children of the Lafayette’s were not absent of innocence; they heard and saw too much.
In fact the entire cast was flawless under Steve H. Broadnax III direction.
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| Steve Kazeee, Daniel Petzold and Maggie Lacey |
Arnel Sancianco’s huge set with winding staircase and clutter strewn all over the floor, odd pieces of furniture here and there and an imposing chandelier hanging over the room with sconces up the staircase created by lighting designer Alan C. Edwards create a dark atmosphere.
Sad to say, Jacob-Jennings’ “Appropriate” is all too true with this new administration sending out anti-Semitic messages, defending the KKK, ignoring Black History Month and much more.
We have been here before and it’s ugly.
See you at the theatre.
When: Runs through Feb. 23. 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 23rd.
Where: Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego
Photo: Rich Soublet II
Tickets: $31 and up
Phone: 619-234-5623
Online: theoldglobe.org
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