IN RWANDA: (R-L) Christopher Horton Abiel, Tamberla Perry, Lily Mojekwu. American Linda Exley (Tamberla Perry) is confronted for help by a Rwandan mother in the Next Theatre production of
In this story, college professor Jack Exley (Si Osborne) takes his Illinois family to Rwanda just before the events that become history unfold. His old college roommate, Dr. Joseph Gasana (brilliantly played by Dexter Zollicoffer, who also is seen in a myriad of other roles as he recites his letters to Jack), has invited him to see what he is doing at his treatment center to save children from the AIDS epidemic. Jack feels the need to write a book about this humanitarian work, so the world can recognize his friend.
Jack takes his new wife Linda (Tamberla Perry), an African-American, and his teenage son Geoffrey (an intense portrayal by young Rob Fagin) with him. When they arrive, they cannot find the doctor despite all efforts by Jack. While Jack is trying to find his friend, he learns that despite being an educated man at home, in Rwanda, he is nothing. At the same time, his wife and son discover a great deal about themselves and each other.
Kenn E. Head as Mizinga does what he can to make the Exley family feel good about his country, but he is not what he seems. In fact, most of the characters in this drama are not what they present themselves to be. John Byrnes handles two roles, that of an Englishman and the other a diplomat (one is French/Belgian, the other English, and at no time do we even consider that one actor is playing both roles). Christopher Horton Abiel plays Gerard, the houseman assigned to the Exley household. The ensemble players: John Nyrere Frazier, Mildred Marie Langford, Lily Mojekwu, and Jamie Vann all add compellingly.
Under the direction of Kimberly Senior, on a divine set by Tom Burch, in a small and intimate venue, the show rings true. If this were performed on a larger stage with lots of set changes, the story would lose impact. The ease of the set changes and minimal "stuff" helped the flow of the story and kept the interest of the viewer.
This is an intense story (with comical moments) that needs total concentration. We need to see why the characters feel the way they do and how they relate or don't relate to one another.
The people of the country knew that trouble was brewing—how could they not? Genocide is not your typical subject matter for a theatrical experience, but due to the sharpness of the writing, the talented cast of actors, and all the technical people of Next Theatre, this endeavor allows us to not only understand what was going on there, but more significantly, to care about it and to consider how we would react in such a crisis.
Bravo to Next Theatre for bringing this work to Chicago-area audiences.
The Overwhelming
The Next Theatre
The Noyes Cultural Arts Center
927 Noyes, Evanston, Ill.
Tickets: 847-475-1875 or www.nexttheatre.org
Running Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes
Closes: May 17
Alan Bresloff writes about theater in the Chicago area.
