Secrets and Lies

The First Deep Breath – Victory Gardens

Twenty-first century Renaissance man, Lee Edward Colston II wears a great many hats. This native of Philadelphia is an actor, playwright, director, writing and acting coach and author. Incorporating the experiences from all of these jobs, Colston  brings a wealth of personal knowledge and observations to his work. Mr. Colston’s latest full-length play is set in his hometown. It’s an epic length contemporary drama about an African-American family, each member harboring so many problems to overcome and secrets to be revealed that the story takes three hours and forty-five minutes to tell. The result is a mixture of jaw-dropping, overwhelming highs and lows, but one thing is certain: the audience is never bored.

There are too many surprises and revelations in Colston’s play to relate in a review. In addition, sharing plot points here would definitely deprive theatergoers of the joy of discovery for themselves. Suffice it say that, while this a story about a family, it’s definitely not a family play. Colston fills his story with adult discussions and situations that include religious debates, sexual acts, unbridled anger, physical and emotional violence and dialogue that’s liberally peppered with profanity and four-letter words. But the playwright also gives his characters speeches that are poetic and filled with understanding and inspiration. There are some incredible monologues in this play that actors should look at for their next audition.

Albert Jones is the passionate pastor of a Philadelphia church. In fact, Pastor Jones opens the play by delivering a fiery sermon to his congregation. Pastor Jones announces the good news that the church has gotten the go-ahead to expand, becoming another of the nation’s megachurches. This is thanks to some funding from a controversial local politician. In his sermon, Jones opens up about a whole slew of personal problems that his family’s facing. In doing so, he and sets up many of the play’s plot points.

The preacher invites his congregation to join him for a special service, honoring the anniversary of the murder of his daughter, Diane. Diane’s identical twin sister, Dee-Dee, who has her own secret, will be singing a special selection. In other news, Reverend Jones’ eldest son, Albert Jones IV (who has changed his name to Abdul-Malik), is expected to arrive home from serving his time in prison. He was incarcerated for raping a white woman. In addition, the Pastor’s youngest son, AJ, is awaiting news about attending college, although his chosen course of study remains a secret from his family. Furthermore, Pastor Jones’ wife Ruth is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease which has erased many memories and important pieces of information. Ruth’s sister, Pearl, lives with the Jones family, sacrificing her own dreams to become Ruth’s caregiver and a surrogate mother to Albert’s grown kids. Add to the mix, Tyree Fisher, a young neighbor and close friend to AJ and Abdul-Malik. And, probably the most upright character in this play, Leslie Carter is Dee-Dee’s boyfriend, and one of the kindest, most compassionate people you’d ever hope to meet.

Colston’s play is a story rooted in the Black American experience. It’s about how family members often have to lie in order to protect themselves and each other from pain and the truth. This is a realistic tale about hurting and healing, about loving and taking care of those who need our help. The play also examines the lengths to which some people have to go in order to live an honest life and be themselves. 

The playwright is trusting Victory Gardens with the world premiere of his work. He has a great director in Steve H. Broadnax III, an artist who’s guided this production through all the emotional, intellectual and physical highs and lows. His drama takes life through the realistic portrayals by a cast of eight gifted actors. They include David Alan Anderson (in an emotional performance as Pastor Albert Jones III); Celeste Williams (so wonderfully loving as his wife, Ruth); Deann Reed-Foster (magnificently giving as Aunt Pearl); Clinton Lowe (powerfully heartbreaking as Abdul-Malik); Melanie Loren (an empathetic Dee-Dee); Patrick Agada (honest and filled with hope as AJ); Gregory Fenner (as Leslie Carter, the character everyone wishes was their best friend); and Jalen Gilbert (as Tyree Fisher, a family friend with a deep secret).

There’s so much to admire in Lee Edward Colston’s new play. The drama entertains while it exposes the secrets and lies this family has buried inside. The problem is that there are so many problems and revelations that the audience finds it difficult to absorb everything. Just as a theatergoer is trying to understand and empathize with one character’s experiences, Mr. Colston has another family member announce another set of problems. It’s simply overwhelming within a three+ hour drama. At some point we simply stop caring about this family and start tuning out. The overwhelming litany of confessions and occurrences begin to appear almost comical. There’s enough conflicts in this one drama to fill the plot of three plays. Hopefully Mr. Colston, after watching and listening to the audiences’ reactions, will make some much-needed cuts and adjustments because this is an important play on the brink of perfection.

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas Presented November 15-December 22 by Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 773-871-3000 or by going to www.victorygardens.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.