Director Jeff Croff gives us Dominique Morisseau’s powerful script set in a break room in a stamping plant in Detroit, during the 2008 recession. As you might expect, the plant is threatened with closing, and each of the characters faces unique and complicated challenges with work and life, itself.
Rose Jangmi Cooper was both confident and vulnerable as the proud but challenged “Faye.” Daniel Bonner brought charm, sass, pride and anger to the ambitious character of “Dez”. Markitwia Jackson proved he’s still got it, returning to the stage after a long hiatus to inhabit the conflicted supervisor “Reggie” struggling with power dynamics and a moral dilemma. Regina Hurd portrayed Shanita, figuring out how she’ll support herself and her unborn child. She is also returning to the Lansing stage after working on various shows in New York City. (It took me a minute to figure out why her name rang a bell; she was the Cook in the Castle Quartette for the 2004 version ofThe Frog Prince, in which I “witched”. Welcome back, Regina!)
Masked are required for audience, not actors; folding chairs - not padded; bring a pillow if you want. An extra perk was the tasty assortment of home-made, bagged treats available for donation at the concession stand, the first “theatre food” in my experience since the pandemic!
Three more shows! 8pm Saturday, and next week Friday/Saturday - Tickets ($15 general admission) are available at the door or online at https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/ixion-ensemble/skeleton-crew-11352/tickets