I had trouble opening the link brought up by the code at the theatre until I logged OFF the MSU free wifi. Not sure if that would be an issue for others, but anyway — it’s WELL worth doing the tech magic to get to that online program because the Director's Note and Dramaturg Basil Winters’ historical context are both very helpful.
This is a play about the ramifications of gentrification, and and there are a lot of them — and a lot of people affected. As a student is quoted saying in the Director’s Note, it includes “notions of home, racism, family, community, gentrification, how we fix it, can we fix it?”
This story IS important, because versions of it are playing out in many cities, not just Detroit. When someone read the MSU Land Acknowledgment statement before the show (that has been read at other shows; it’s not a “thing” just for this show) it occurred to me that Europeans, in a sense, “gentrified” the continent away from the Native Americans.
There is a vibrant sense of place on the Pasant Stage at Wharton Center created by projections, “media,” and scenography. (Scenic Design Kasee Arnett, Lighting Design Niklas Casella and Media Design, Erin R.)
Jeff Augustin’s script, however, strikes me as one that is too complex to fully appreciate on first viewing. We also had trouble understanding some of the actors due to appropriate dialect, fast delivery and volume/articulation issues. This is an intimate show, despite its expansive scenic scope, and I think it is best viewed as close as possible in the center section. We were in the first side section, which may have played a part in our difficulty understanding every word. It’s general seating, so get there early to snag those closest seats.
Corktown runs through October 23. Purchase tickets here: https://www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/corktown