“The Prior 55,” which lately performed at Theater For the New Metropolis positioned at 155 1st Avenue, was a really deep play, written by Andrea J. Fulton. It informed the story of a girl named Mahala, who needed to assist a homeless man named Redman Blue, dwelling in a rural group in Louisiana. The viewers watched as Mahala, after seeing the Bluesman sing within the French Quarter, tracked him all the way down to his place within the woods and tried to know his scenario. A psychiatric nurse, she first tried to interrupt the ice by providing him a sandwich, which he refused. She stored attempting to get him to clarify why he lived on this explicit place within the woods and why he most popular dwelling exterior than within the consolation of a house.
Redman ultimately defined to Mahala what it meant to him to have the sky as his ceiling. Listening to their dialog helps emphasize that what society deems “regular” doesn’t at all times apply to everybody, and other people shouldn’t be judged harshly as a result of they don’t match the norm. Folks have trauma of their lives that may change them endlessly and the way they address that trauma ought to be their selection so long as they don’t seem to be hurting themselves or others. In the event you haven’t walked in an individual’s sneakers, you possibly can’t perceive why they do what they do. Additionally, who’re we to guage somebody as a result of their life-style makes us involved about them?
When Redman lastly shared why he selected to stay in that individual spot, the occasions that led to this motion had a number of layers of trauma and abuse associated to his father. Redman, his mom, and his brother had been abused regularly, and ultimately he misplaced the individuals he liked to horrific circumstances. I don’t wish to give away any extra particulars than that. If this play is mounted once more, please go and see it.
Martine Fleurisma as Mahala and veteran actor Michael Inexperienced as Redman Blue mesmerized the viewers. They performed their roles with humor, drama, concern and empathy. Fleurisma performed Mahala with a powerful sense of compassion for Redman, however her character additionally had her personal demons that she was battling — hammering how at the same time as people take care of challenges, they’ll nonetheless assist others. Inexperienced performed his character with empathy, dignity, and conviction. His portrayal helped the viewers to really see that Redman had been via horrible conditions in his life.
The play gave the viewers quite a bit to ponder about that homeless particular person that you just see and marvel about their decisions. However you actually don’t know what that particular person has been via and you shouldn’t decide them, lest you be judged.
The play featured poignant course by Patricia R. Floyd. All of the technical parts got here collectively nicely and featured set design by Ulric O’Flaherty, costume design by Omar Sama’ey, sound design by Ken Coughlin, and stage administration by Lawrence Floyd. The manufacturing was introduced by Theater For the New Metropolis and Fulton Arts Basis. For upcoming productions go to theaterforthenewcity.web.
