URI theatre’s spin on a 1930’s classic
URI’s theater performed a refreshing take on Vera Stark. PHOTO CREDIT: Mandy Kokela | Contributing Reporter
The University of Rhode Island Theatre program brought a refreshing, witty, satirical play to the audience on Saturday with “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.”
The play, originally written by two-time Pulitzer prize winning playwright Lynn Nottage, puts a focus on a black woman breaking through the white-dominated picture industry in the 1930’s Golden Age of Hollywood, and the rising career of Vera Stark, played by fourth-year Kafui Glover, the maid of “America’s Little Sweetie Pie,” Gloria Mitchell, played by third-year EJ Caraveo.
Stark, the titular character played by Glover, is a sharp-minded and witty woman who dreams to have a role in a big picture. Glover does a fantastic performance, perfectly accentuating the personality of Vera even in her later years. Her struggle to break through the walls of the movie industry’s racial bias was moving and well-acted to bring out emotion, even in the comedic bits.
The play revolves around Vera’s big dreams and the aftermath of how she views her achievements. Glover set the tone of the play, drawing the audience into Stark’s hopeful monologues about becoming an actress in such a deeply sad and beautiful way.
The analysis portion of the show was great, as it turned into a movie within a talk show within an expert discussion. The depth of it played off well with the stage and the general size of the set, and the fact that the actors were able to flawlessly transition between characters.
The main stage, Gloria Mitchell’s house interior, is featured in a large-scale rotating stage with different rooms on different side panels. The set design was satisfying to the eye and beautifully created, and the furniture looked timely as well.
The roommates of Stark were the witty Lottie McBride, played by third-year Sabrina Youn, and Anna Mae Simpkins, played by third-year Aymin Ramirez Peguero.The characters brought a humorous support system to Stark as well as cunning wit, seen when Anna Mae put on a Brazilian accent to win a speaking role in the picture directed by Maxmillian Von Oster, played by third-year Liam Roberts.
All characters besides Vera Stark played two different roles throughout the show and completely changed their acting style to fit the role the best. The flirty musician, Leroy Barksdale, played by first-yearDavid Santana, also doubled as the discussion host Herb Forrester. The vibrant talk show host Brad Donovan, played by third-year Matt Perrotta, also doubled as the egotistical big-shot producer Fredrick Slasvick.
With just a seven-person cast, URI Theatre brought this well-rounded show into existence and the audience was receptive! Laughs, cheers and opening-ceremony flowers filled the Robert E. Will Theatre during the show.
The dialogue was funny when it needed to be, it was serious at the optimal times and thought-provoking, especially during the second act. The entire seven-person cast showed their dedication to the script and their characters during the performance. If you want to see URI Theatre perform Lynn Nottage’s take on breaking through the white-dominated film industry in the 1930’s, there are remaining dates left this month.
The remaining days to see the play are March 1-4 at 7:30 p.m. and March 5 at 2 p.m. in Will Theatre at the Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $20 for the general public and $15 for students, senior citizens, faculty and staff.