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June 03, 2010 St. Louis American By Kenya Vaughn |
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New Gitana play illustrates ordinary people allowing others to soar
Upon entering the theatre for Gitana’s latest production Eye on the Sparrow: The World Within St. Louis, the perfectly constructed Metrobus replica that occupies the majority of the stage serves as the perfect focal point. Anyone who has ever relied on the organization formerly known as Bi-State will eye the bus in awe of its likeness, from the seats to the steps.
The consuming centerpiece instantly creates a connection between the viewer and the production, prior to the introduction of any characters or the storyline.
A popular downtown street musician who plays near major Metrobus terminals, Raven Wolf C. Felton Jennings II, was included in the production as well, which added more authenticity as the introductory scenes unfolded.
Even before the show begins, Gitana has in part achieved its mission of creating a link between people of all cultures and backgrounds by showcasing how the most ordinary series of events can serve as the foundation for life-changing experiences. It also shows how the people we see – or don’t see – in passing can ultimately serve as our saving grace.
With the boarding of the bus, the story begins and the connection continues.
One woman’s road to self-discovery is traveled by way of the 58 Bus Line.
Her journey includes stops on unemployment, loneliness, fear and poverty boulevards. As she struggles to make ends meet, Harper Lessing (played by Healy Rodman) is given a new perspective and respect for the people she innocently ignored as she worked her way to the top of her profession as a high-powered attorney.
Lessing’s strength had become her weakness. She was so driven towards her personal success and goals for the future, she failed to enjoy the ride – and ultimately crashed.
Through Sparrow, writer/director Lee Patton Chiles creates purpose for the people many write off as insignificant. She attempts to give everyday people a defining moment in the life of another.
She takes the “Touched By an Angel” concept and adds everyday angels to help Lessing find her way through life after losing her job mid-career and the ripple effect of setbacks in her life.
Her obvious guardian angel – portrayed by Ruth Latchison-Nichols – sits pristinely dressed in all white at the back of the bus for the entire production, transitioning scenes through song.
The angel isn’t given a name – which adds to the profoundness of the character’s presence.
In addition to the soulful, inspirational musical transitions, she offers words of encouragement and wisdom from beyond Lessing’s understanding as she asks the question everyone poses when in the depths of defeat: “Why me?”
“You are blessed, Harper Lessing,” Latchison-Nichols’ character reminds her.
Patton-Chiles even scripted in the true story of Latchison-Nichol’s personal tragedy of a childhood rape and losing her “miracle child” daughter and nearly her own life in a horrific car accident. The story is no secret, and the fact that Latchison-Nichols’ could relive the tragic turn of events for the sake of showing that “this, too, shall pass” served as a blessing to those who watched the production.
The angel forces Lessing to see beyond her circumstances, while the other characters quietly walk her through them.
Carla, a woman Lessing meets a few days after becoming a regular on the 58 Route, is most unwavering as she attempts to extend a helping hand to Lessing – even when it is swatted away.
Thomasina Clarke’s portrayal of Carla was among the highlights of the production. An unsung “sheroe,” Carla refuses to allow Lessing to wallow in her personal crises. Through Carla and Sparrow’s other characters, Lessing sees that her situation is far from unique and even further from a worst-case scenario.
Thanks to her neighbors, bus driver, fellow passengers, taxi drivers and other “everyday angels,” Lessing sees the blessing while catching the lesson – she connects with others and welcomes the acts of kindness that wait in the wings of sparrows that are constantly passing by.
Gitana Productions presentation of Eye On The Sparrow: The World Within St. Louis will continue through Sunday, June 6 at Xavier Hall Theatre on the campus of Saint Louis University. For more information, visit www.gitana-inc.org or call (314) 721-6556.
The St. Louis American ©June2010
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