Glenn Davis, Jeff Parker, Phillip James Brannon and Rodrick Covington in Steppenwolf’s The Brother/Sister Plays (Marcus: Or the Secret of Sweet) by Tarell Alvin McCraney, directed by ensemble member Tina Landau.
Michael Brosilow
Sarah Beardsley loves Steppenwolf Theatre's The Brother/Sister Plays
Three connected stories explore coming of age
By Sarah Beardsley
Published: February 1st, 2010 | 11:55am
In an era when the notion of community has devolved into the company you keep on Twitter or Facebook, Tarell McCraney's The Brother/Sister Plays examines true connections — the relationships with family and loved ones that deeply authenticate our lives. On stage now at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre, the trilogy consists of one two-act and two one-act plays shown in rotation.
The intersecting stories depict the mythical town of San Pere, Louisiana, in which the local community struggles to express its love for those who are in it. Against a relatively spare set, the impact comes from the strength of the script's well-drawn characters and their connections to both one other and the audience. It's a little bit Greek tragedy, a little bit Motown musical — and a whole lot of powerful acting.
The playwright is Tarell Alvin McCraney, who at 29 is already hailed as one of America's most promising voices in theatre. On the heels of shows he's premiered in Atlanta, New York, London, and Princeton, New Jersey, this particular work speaks to McCraney's inner-city Miami upbringing and weaves in the universal theme of coming-of-age struggles. For this production, Steppenwolf took the unconventional step of using a single cast and one director, Tina Landau. Next up, Landau, a Steppenwolf ensemble member and veteran, will direct Beauty with a Venus Zine favorite, singer/songwriter Regina Spektor.
In the Red and Brown Water shows one night, followed by the two one-acts, The Brothers Size and Marcus; Or the Secret of Sweet on another. "Marathon Sundays" show all three on the same day. While each stands strongly on its own, we recommend seeing "Water" first: It's joyous, musical, and lovingly informs the characters in the two subsequent plays.
VZ tip: Catch it before March 21st to catch the excellent Glenn Davis as Elegba and Marcus, an African American teenager grappling with his own gay identity in the South.
For showtimes, tickets, and further details, click here.
Sarah Beardsley is Venus Zine's publisher
Issue #35
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