Melda Beaty's Front Porch Society Is Black Gold(en Girls)

The Agape Theatre Project's production of Melda Beaty's Front Porch Society is another fun show from the Durham, NC-based theater company, which will perform it today through Sunday, March 27th, in Burning Coal Theatre Company's Murphey School Auditorium in Raleigh, NC.

Directed by Andre Minkins, the play introduces us to seven African-Americans in the small town of Marks, Mississippi. The action begins on Election Day 2008, when the United States is about to elect its first African-American president, Barack Obama; and it concludes the following day. Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008, was a pivotal day in American history; and this play offers a window into its importance in the lives of an array of people.

Although the women are excited and hopeful, there is apprehension and uncertainty in the air, and there are several other issues "up-in-the-air."

Some of the characters do not intend to vote -- why?

One character is dressed in all black (and says that it is her usual outfit for this day) -- why?

There are numerous references to a ritual sending of "the letters" -- why?

Why is there a "No Trespassing" sign in the front yard? And why does it say "This Means You"?

What happened on this day 41 years ago?

And what in the world is going on down at the cemetery?

The Acting:

The two central characters are Carrie Honey (Joy Bryant) and Ms. Martha (Paula Lacewell). This story unfolds on Carrie's front porch, and the "90-something" Ms. Martha is the first character that we meet. Ultimately, these are the two who are most affected by the events that unfold.

The script is rife with crisp, crackling dialogue. Playwright Melda Beaty's quick wit (as well as her ear for colloquial speech) affords a constant source of entertainment. Phrases such as "crooked as a dog's back leg" and offbeat words like "smothercate" enhance the delight of listening to these characters, adding flavor to the realization of the characters.

Paula Lacewell's Ms. Martha stands out as a crowd-pleaser. Beaty's script supplies the zinger-lines, and Lacewell's delivery seals the deal. I found myself as pleased with this character as I always was with Estelle Getty as Dorothy's mother on NBC's The Golden Girls and Zara Cully as George's mother on CBS's The Jeffersons.

Joy Bryant delivers a steady portrayal of Carrie Honey, keeping our curiosity piqued as we wonder what demons are plaguing this character.

Babs Watson, as Sister Stallworth, creates a character who is as self-important as she is "holier-than-thou." (It is telling that this character chooses to pronounce the word "either" as "eye-ther" rather than "ee-ther." Excellent choice!)

Sandra Wallace-Smith (as the next-door Winnie) is a natural -- I am sure that I have met this character!

Edith Berry's Alberta Johnson comes across as "the new-age chick," a vegetarian and a aerobics enthusiast (who constantly needs to remind everyone of those facts).

Gerald Campbell is a stand-out in the supporting role of Towner (the mail-carrier). Each of his brief appearances left us hungering for more.

Deandre Sanders turns in a solid (though brief) appearance as Terrance, a high school senior (whose football might cause a problem).

The Tech:

Jeremy Vance's set is spot-on, delightfully detailed.

Costume designer Pamela Bond has clothed the cast in a character-specific fashion (including the over-the-top "happening" outfit sported by Alberta Johnson and Sister Stallworth's obligatory hoity-toity look).

Credited as technical director, Kenneth Hinton Sr. is the probable source of the excellent choice of pre-show, post-show, and scene-change music.

From the Department of Picky-Picky:

1. An early blocking choice resulted in Joy Bryant's back to the audience for an extended span of time.
2. Action in the "front yard" was a little clumsy for my taste, but I am not sure I can suggest an alternative.
3. Timing was a little "off" in the gunshot sequence. Silencing the "click" of the prop would remedy that.
4. The creaking of the floor of the porch added to the show's "realism," but it detracted from the effect of the quiet, serious scenes in the second act. Perhaps, less movement would help.
5. Sound effects: Would it be possible to place a speaker behind the set? Each time the dogs-in-the-backyard barked, it was a bit distracting that the sound came from the booth.

Random Thoughts:

Googling Marks, Mississippi, I learned that its population (in those days) was under 1,700 and that it was over 70% African-American (non-Hispanic). I can't help but wonder if knowing that beforehand would have enhanced my appreciation of the play.

The title Front Porch Society revived the image that had been created (in my mind) by the opening paragraph of Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God. Many thanks.

Final Analysis:

This play is as informative as it is entertaining; it is well worth checking out.

Melda Beaty's FRONT PORCH SOCIETY (In Person at 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 26th and 27th), directed by Andre Minkins and starring Joy Bryant as Carrie, Paula Lacewell as Ms. Martha, Edith Berry as Alberta, Foye Thornton as Terrance, Babs Watson as Sister Stallworth, Sandra Wallace-Smith as Winnie, Gerald Campbell as Towner, and Deandre Sanders as Terrance (Agape Theatre Project, in collaboration with Burning Coal Theatre Company, in the Murphey School Auditorium in Raleigh). TRAILER: https://www.facebook.com/paula.nunn.12/videos/494447262180284. 2022 SEASON: https://www.agapetheatreproject.com/events. THE PRESENTER: https://www.agapetheatreproject.com/, https://www.facebook.com/ATPDurham/, https://www.instagram.com/agapetheatreproject/, https://twitter.com/AgapeTheatrePro, and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9bp87bCSuISLtK9dXKXKhw. THE VENUE: https://burningcoal.org/plan-your-visit/ and https://burningcoal.org/history-of-the-murphey-school/. DIRECTIONS/PARKING: https://burningcoal.org/plan-your-visit/. COVID PRECAUTIONS: https://burningcoal.org/covid-precautions/. TICKETS: $20 in advance and $25 at the door, plus taxes and fees. Click here to buy tickets. INFORMATION: 919-957-9692 or mr.khinton@yahoo.com. PLEASE DONATE TO: Agape Theatre Project.

WHAT: Triangle Review is a FREE weekly e-mail performing-arts and film newsletter, edited and published by Robert W. McDowell since April 2001.

TO SUBSCRIBE: To start your FREE subscription today, sign up in the subscription box at the beginning of this e-mail; or e-mail RobertM748@aol.com and type SUBSCRIBE-TR in the Subject: line. TO UNSUBSCRIBE: E-mail RobertM748@aol.com and type UNSUBSCRIBE-TR in the Subject: line.

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? E-mail all questions, comments, and Letters to the Editor to RobertM748@aol.com. For Letters to the Editor, please include a daytime telephone number in your e-mail.

COPYRIGHT: Editorial content in all formats © 2022 Triangle Review and the author of each article. Reproduction in any form without authorization of Triangle Review and the respective authors is prohibited. Triangle Review maintains an archive of past issues. To request copies of past articles and/or issues, e-mail RobertM748@aol.com.