Detectives (Charles Shaw Robinson* and Matthew Baldiga*) interrogate William (Isiah Thompson).
FROM RED TO BLACK: Drama by Rhett Rossi. Directed by Susi Damilano. SF Playhouse San Box Series, A.C.T. Costume Shop on 1119 Market Street (at Seventh Street)/Civic Center Bart, San Francisco, CA. 415-677-9596 or www.sfplayhouse.org. August 9 -30, 2014
From Red to Black reminiscent of a Law & Order TV script. [rating:3] (3 of 5 Stars)
San Francisco Bay Area has become a destination for playwrights seeking workshops and productions of their plays. In the past the Magic Theatre was the premiere venue for nurturing new writers but now five other local groups, including the SF Playhouse, have joined the fray. SF Playhouse’s entry into that group is called “Sandbox” that began with simple staged readings in the “back room” of their previous venue. They have branched out into limited full productions and From Red to Black is their latest offering.
The title ‘red to black’ refers to an esoteric binary tree, used in computer science to organize pieces of comparable data, such as text fragments or numbers. In Rhett Rossi’s play that ‘binary tree’ becomes two Irish detectives interrogating William (Isiah Thompson) an insecure young black man suspected (accused) of shoving a white man into the path of a subway train. The detectives are the stereotypic ‘good cop/bad cop’ each with their individual hang-ups.
The older “bad’ detective is Denny Mitchell (Charles Shaw Robinson) and the younger is “good” Jack Flanagan (Matthew Baldiga). As the play progresses there is a subtle to compelling shift in personalities but they remain stereotypic characters and both actors give powerful performances. Isiah Thompson has the best role as the accused and he brings to life the claustrophobic insecurity enshrouded in bravado demanded of the writing.
The writing is commendable and adroitly carries the plot line but relies on some extended exposition disguised as conversation between the detectives. To discuss the fourth member of the cast Lawrence Stevens (Michael Shipley) would be a spoiler since that character is the keystone of the surprise ending.
Director Susi Damilano’s tight direction is made easier by Bill English’s multi-area set allowing her to move the characters smoothly from scene to scene keeping the entire evening less than 90 minutes without an intermission. The play is being performed at the intimate A.C.T. Costume shop with limited technical support but light design by Jessica Brent backed up by Hannah Birch Carl’s sound design using the rumble of subway trains give the proper atmospheric claustrophobic effect. Recommended as a ‘should see’ production.
Cast: Matthew Baldiga (Detective Jack Flanagan); Charles Shaw Robinson (Detective Denny Mitchell); Michael Shipley (Lawrence Stevens); Isiah Thompson (William).
Creative Team: Set Design by Bill English; Costume Design by Jeffrey Hamby; Stage Manager by Jessica Charles; Light Design by Jessica Bent; Sound Design by Hannah Birch Carl; Props Designer by Jordan Puckett; Casting Director by Lauren English; Fight Choreographer by Miguel Martinez; Dialect Coach Lynne Soffer; Dramaturg by Kevin Kittle
Kedar K. Adour, MD
Courtesy of www.theatreworldinternetmagazine.com.
Detectives (Charles Shaw Robinson* and Matthew Baldiga*) interrogate William (Isiah Thompson).
