Pretty Fire
Writing your own, personal story, one that you hold so close to your chest may be the single most selfless gift you can give the world and yourself. The fearfully beautiful, (and sometimes ugly) truth; the labels, the lineage, the secrets can change your respectability in a momentary instant. But, for better or worse, it's your truth and the channel of your existence. It's one thing to face this truth. It's quite another to put it in writing, encouraging others to experience it with you. Should you be so bold? Do you even dare?
Charlayne Woodard is so bold. She did dare. And yet, she has the audacity to take it one step--one giant leap--further, having structured her formative memories in a powerful one-woman play, Pretty Fire. Dallas' Soul Rep Theatre Company, under the graceful direction of Tonya Holloway, relive the life altering moments of Woodard's childhood, beginning with her dramatic entrance as a premature newborn, through her late elementary school years. Although, originally designed as a one-woman play, Soul Rep makes an even bolder move through two sensational actresses, CD Lovehall, who steadily carries the weight of Charlayne, among other characters and veteran actress, Renee Micha'el Jones, who likewise manages several characters, namely Mommy, Grandmama, and--one, who will forever be burned in my memory-- Robert Blair. Charlayne Woodard grew up in a loving and caring family in Albany, NY, among her parents and younger sister, but remained hypnotized with the nostalgia of Dixie, where she spent many summers with her grandparents. Pretty Fire examines her fascination of the South through her naively innocent lense, where her fragile understanding of the world would be forever transformed.
Holloway provides us with a simple set of two benches, used in various formats and makes use of a projection screen that alters our setting, transporting us to various locations, such as a 1950s playground, a church congregation, or her grandparents' front yard where a burning structure stands, which she declares is "pretty fire." I particularly appreciate that the projections make their entrances with purpose, rather than acting as the sustained backdrop, which could have a tendency to pull our focus from the unfolding story onstage; in this way, the projections aid the story, rather than distract. Additionally, Holloway has taken careful and thoughtful measures in her staging, respectably in the scene between Charlayne and Robert Blair, where others may have been tempted to push the boundary too far.
To borrow words from my plus-one guest for this production, Renee Micha'el Jones and CD Lovehall are nothing short of "impressive," if not exceptional in this assembly. In tandem, their narration allows us the smooth transitions necessary for our mindset to move forward to the next stretch. Likewise, their seamless shifts between characters gives us clear indication that we're meeting a new acquaintance, or being reunited with a familiar figure. Jones fully embodies each character with dramatic physicality and vocalization. Lovehall makes each character engagedly relatable to her very core. Collectively, their magnetic charisma is worthy of our undivided attention.
Soul Rep Theatre Company makes an impressionable statement with Pretty Fire, one that will surely stick with you. You cannot help but empathize.
Pretty Fire continues next weekend through April 19th! Tickets can be purchased at soulrep.org
Enjoy the Show,
Natalie Shaw
Photos by Sonny Jefferson
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