R. Eric Thomas’s script introduces us to two women, one Black, one White, in a “well appointed faculty restroom at a prestigious university" at their 10-year college reunion.
First, applause for that restroom, a masterful set with mirrors reflecting the audience, working faucets, and a beautifully painted
"tile” floor. Designer Kirk Domer and crew have created a classy, workable setting for the reminiscences, confrontations, and dueling stories. The intimacy of the small, Williamston theatre enhances the realism of the set and up-close emotions of the actors.
Aisha (Janai Lachen) is a successful playwright and Holly (Alysia Kolascz) is a struggling comedian. They know each other — or do they? “Truth and memory become entwined as details emerge of their shared past,” as the blurb describes.
Both actresses are amazing and sincere. Conflict arises over whether Aisha “stole” a story Holly told her years ago the basis for a successful script. I found myself identifying with Holly more… then I asked myself, is it because I’m White? Maybe...
Other “what if’s” occur. What if the White woman were the successful one, who allegedly stole the Black woman’s story? I googled, and Director Jasmine Rivera appears to be Hispanic — does that put her in an objective position to direct this Black/White play? Does that matter? As I glanced around, i did not see any Black audience members. I hope that was a this-performance anomaly, as this play deserves discussion from all points of view.
Mrs. Harrison is a thought-provoking hour and a half-ish, no-intermission peek into the real and/or imagined stories of two women — intriguing, entertaining, sometimes funny — running through April 23 (Note: no show Easter Sunday, April 9.)
Get tickets at http://williamstontheatre.org where you can choose your own seats — and remember to celebrate the absence of POLES this season! All seats are good seats at Williamston.
NOTE: Williamston's Dark Nights at Billtown staged reading series will present “Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help” by Katie Forgette, a comedic romp with a cash-challenged Irish Catholic family in 1973, Monday, April 10 at 7pm $10 at the door; no reservation necessary.