Date: Fri 19-Feb-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: CAROLL

Quick Words:

Stamford-Theatre-Grandmama

Full Text:

(rev "The Grandmama Tree" @Stamford Theatre Works)

THEATRE REVIEW: An Eloquent Celebration Of Life & Family

(with cut)

By June April

STAMFORD -- More than a charming play, The Grandmama Tree is a clarion call to

tune into life and savor the people and experiences we all have around us.

Written by a young and talented man, Benard Cummings, the play mirrors his own

growth and realization that in order to cherish the future, we must know and

cherish our past. It's a call to identity, to community, and to love.

Set in Eastern Texas, The Grandmama Tree , currently at Stamford Theatre

Works, is the story of a family brought together by an elderly

shamanist/midwife, Mama Olun, who intuits what is going on around her. It is

not coincidental that this play's world premiere is being offered now, during

the observance of Black History Month.

Mama Olun beckons the fleeing pained souls around her and salves the wounds

that separate them by ministering in the grove where fruit trees, planted by

generations of the community, abound. It's a nourishing environment, on many

levels, and it is a fulfilling play for theatergoers to take in.

After graduating from the Yale School of Drama, the playwright took on a job

at a clinic in New York City to help support himself while pursuing his acting

career. Owing to a broken copier, he had to go to another part of the clinic

that he had never been to before and what he saw motivated him to write this

play.

Contrasted with the pleasant environment of the private patients' waiting

area, in this section was the free clinic, where minority groups were squeezed

together in a depressing setting. "It really hit me," Mr Cummings has

explained. "There was a sense that society was pointing a finger and accusing

those people of being bad and irresponsible."

Mr Cummings felt compelled to write a play about the injustice he observed,

but the words weren't coming. So he decided to visit his family in East Texas

and hang out for awhile.

He talked to the women of his family, and then discovered and interviewed Ms

Goodie, a 95-year-old midwife who opened his eyes to a world he had never

known. Absorbing and observing, Mr Cummings returned to New York and sat down

to write his play.

"The Grandmama Tree" in the grove signifies safety and security, and stands as

the roots of a person, family and community. The set, dominated by the tree,

was designed by Warren Karp (no relation to the artistic director Steve Karp),

and creatively built by technical director Patrick McCluskey. He masterfully

engineered bodies into the tree trunk, at least four of them, in various

positions.

Acting by the Equity Cast was first-rate. Outstanding as she always is when

appearing at Stamford Theatre Works, Catrina Ganey plays a strong, but

tormented mother who must work as the sole support of her family. The two

young -- and unwed -- parents-to-be are Sharefa, played by Heather Alicia

Simms, and Alfonso, portrayed by Gene D. Harding. Both are totally credible in

their roles, and did a fine job dancing, even though they are not trained

dancers.

This play was also a personal journey for Miss Simms. She has family in

Jamaica (the island) and in Brooklyn, New York. The contrast she experiences,

from the rural to the urban lifestyle, and the different value systems, was a

deeply felt exploration.

Gently, with humor and quiet strength, playing the wise midwife, Betty Vaughn

seemed right at home as Matriarch of the Grove. Though she fluffed a few lines

occasionally, in the true tradition of the theatre, she went on as if nothing

happened.

Directed by Lorna Littleway, The Grandmama Tree is well worth a trip to

Stamford.

(For further information call 359-4414. The Grandmama Tree runs through

February 21.)