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| George Johnson and Jennifer Robinson photo by Laura Durant |
Click here for more information on this production that runs through October 1st.
"With a singing washing machine, a girl group that pops out of a radio to comment on the action, and a luminous, melodic moon, the supporting characters in Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori's Caroline, or Change are clearly very different from many musicals out there. But the serious social messages at the center of the piece and the beautiful, sung through score make Caroline, or Change an evocative and stunning work. Black Theatre Troupe's production features a stunning performance by Jennifer Robinson as Caroline, an African-American maid in 1963 Louisiana who is just trying to get through life working in an overheated basement while the winds of social revolution are blowing around her....With many of the songs running just a minute or two, it may prove different and difficult for those used to a more traditional musical theatre score, but it is rich and beautiful and full of emotion,...doesn't try to sentimentalize or shortchange the difficulties of the characters, with their pain, suffering, and pent-up emotion always at the forefront. Director David J. Hemphill has done a lovely job in ensuring the changing styles, shifting tones, and whimsical characters are grounded in reality and, for the most part, his cast delivers both musically and dramatically. Jennifer Robinson's portrayal of Caroline is stunning. ..she expertly shows Caroline's concealed attempt to hide the pain, fury and fear just beneath her stony exterior. Her powerful vocals deliver throughout..While several members of the supporting cast are somewhat weak, Brandi Bigley is lovely as the well-meaning Rose...Ebony Gammage is excellent as Caroline's friend Dotty...Zion Russell is equally good as Caroline's teenage daughter Emmie who sees promise in her future....a deeply moving musical that is full of rich emotion. While there are a few issues with Black Theatre Troupe's production, the stellar performance from Jennifer Robinson and the fact that this is a musical so different from every other musical, makes it a refreshing and must-see show." -Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway (click here to read the complete review)
"The plot...is as mundane as could be...But with the help of a surreal conceit, giving singing parts to such characters as the Washing Machine, the Moon and the Bus, this show packs enough humanity into that tiny plot to make your heart burst. ..features a powerhouse performance by Jennifer Robinson as Caroline...Robinson creates a character who is not always likeable but becomes enormously sympathetic in her struggle. There’s a lot more to this important work...But the heart of the show is Caroline, and it’s a huge one....In a large ensemble cast, there are a few weaker performances. But this hardly matters in a show that delivers complex characters and complex music that challenge the mind and the soul. " - Kerry Lengel, Arizona Republic (click here to read the complete review)
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