Next Act Theater opens its 12th season in Milwaukee with a provocative new work, Bee-Luther-Hatchee. It's clear why this play appealed to Next Act, a company that often delves into issues of gender, race and family relationships. In Bee-Luther-Hatchee, Shelita Burns, a young African-American woman, publishes the memoirs of Libby Price, a 72-year-old first-time author. The book, "Bee-Luther-Hatchee," tells of Libby's life in the South. She takes her title from an African-American term that means a place "just beyond Hell." The book becomes a best seller, despite Shelita and Libby never even having met. All their correspondence has been by mail. Secretly, Shelita believes her close connection to Libby's work may be more than professional. This sets off a mysterious chain of events that creates a level of dramatic tension in the first act. A series of rapid-fire scenes unfold neatly under David Cecsarini's crisp direction.
Unfortunately, once the true identity of the book's author is revealed at the end of Act I, the play virtually screeches to a halt. The once-promising characters are reduced to mere stereotypes, and the dialogue becomes an overlong debate about ideas. Shelita (Olivia Dawson), becomes shrill in her portrayal of a cynical New Yorker. Her counterpart is Sean Leonard, a young, Caucasian writer from the South. He refuses to accept the limitations Shelita attempts to impose on him. Oddly, despite their obvious common ground, they do not attempt to mend their rift until the play's final scene. At this point, the play feels forced and awkward.
Despite its weak second act and limp ending, Bee-Luther-Hatchee has considerable merit. Olivia Dawson impresses throughout, and she shines in the scenes when paired with a best friend (Terry Tuttle), or a reporter from The New York Times (William Clifford). As Libby, Margaret Pierson-Bates is an ethereal figure that pops up frequently throughout the play. Sometimes, Bates is as substantial as the Southern soil of her birth. Other times, she is a ghostly figure, fading into the realm of memory. Peter Reeves is a fine actor who suffers a bit in this production, since he does not take center stage until the problematic Act II. R.H. Graham projects the play's main themes in a beautifully understated set, enhanced by Andrew Meyers' lighting.
Opened:
September 20, 2001
Ended:
October 14, 2001
Country:
USA
State:
Wisconsin
City:
Milwaukee
Company/Producers:
Next Act Theater
Theater Type:
Regional
Theater:
Off Broadway Theater
Theater Address:
342 North Water Street
Phone:
(414) 278-0765
Running Time:
2 hrs, 30 min
Genre:
Drama
Director:
David Cecsarini
Review:
Parental:
adult themes
Cast:
Olivia Dawson (Shelita Burns); Margaret Pierson-Bates (Libby Price), William Clifford (Interviewer/Robert), Anna/Sister Margaret (Terry Tuttle), Peter Reeves (Sean Leonard).
Technical:
Set: R.H. Graham; Costumes: Marsha Kuligowski; Lighting: Andrew Meyers; Sound: David Cecsarini.
Critic:
Anne Siegel
Date Reviewed:
September 2001
