Theater Review: 'Fairview' at Western CT State University

The Western Connecticut State University Department of Theatre Arts has produced the play "Fairview," written by Jackie Sibblies Drury in 2018. In April 2019, Fairview won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The Pulitzer committee called the play "a hard-hitting drama that examines race in a highly conceptual, layered structure, ultimately bringing audiences into the actors' community to face deep-seated prejudices."

The university students were directed by Donna Baldwin-Bradby, with choreography by Teagan La’Shay Drury.

I intentionally do not read anything about a show that is new to me, on the theory that I will experience it for the first time as a “typical” patron.

Donald P. Gagnon, Ph.D, the Theatre Arts Faculty Dramaturg, begins his note in the program with “I can’t tell you what ‘Fairview’ is about,” and ends with “We hope you enjoy–and deeply understand–what you see.” I must admit that I found the scenes to be very confusing during the last two of the three acts.

Fairview is a 2018 comedy play written by Jackie Sibblies Drury. The play was co-commissioned by Berkeley Rep and Soho Repertory Theatre. The play follows a middle class African-American family as they prepare for a birthday dinner for their grandmother only to be watched by four White people. The play is a searing examination of families, drama, family dramas, and the insidiousness of white supremacy.

After doing some research on the piece, I think I understand the playwright’s intention, as heavy handed as it may be. However, my overall impression of the work is that it is really not a comedy and that ticket-buyers were essentially treated to a “bait and switch” performance piece.

The scenic designer Maureen Freedman has done an amazing job of bringing a chunk of the family’s home to the black box. As audience members entered the theatrical “house” through this scenic “house,” they noticed that the set was very detailed and upscale. Lighting design by Joshua Rose helps to drive the action, highlighting that which needs highlighting and added to the feel of the scenes.

West Conn senior Destiny Samuel, who calls Brooklyn New York home, portrays the sitcom mom, Beverly. Raissatou Karim, a senior from Stratford who appeared in “Season’s Greetings” and “Ernest and the Pale Moon,” plays her sister Jasmine and Justin Villard, a sophomore from Stamford who was part of “Metamorphosis,” appears as Dayton. Kendyl Grace Davis, a sophomore from Cromwell who appeared in “Bat Boy,” plays the couple’s daughter Keisha.

In a second cast list that is distributed at the conclusion of the three acts, four students are credited. Michelle D’Amico, who recently made her Broadway debut as the Girl Scout in “Beetlejuice,” plays Suze. Senior Becca J. Ferrante from Norwalk portrays Bets. Assef Badr, a Syrian now living in Stratford, is Jimbo and Kiernan Urso is Mack.
The students had clearly worked very hard during the rehearsal process to perform this play and did their best with the material. Many had long monologues to perform. All of the roles have understudies ready to go on if necessary.

Be forewarned that the script contains mature themes and language and some strobe lights and haze. The play is presented with no intermission and runs almost two hours. There is general admission, allowing patrons to choose a seat on the bleacher seating, except in the chairs marked reserved in the front rows. There is a laugh track among the sound cues.

After the matinee performances on Saturday, April 15, there will be a talkback with Director Donna Baldwin-Bradby, members of the cast, and special guests, including Dr. Donald Gagnon, a professor of Theatre Arts and English, as well as faculty dramaturg. On Saturday, April 15, special guests will include State Representative and WCSU alumnus Corey Paris and WCSU alumnus/journalist/blogger Alfonso Robinson. Both talkbacks are being sponsored by The Fourth Wall, the Theatre Arts department's student diversity group. The audience will be encouraged to stay and have a community conversation about the vital current issues and emotions raised in the play.

Pulitzer Prize winner 'FAIRVIEW' by Jackie Sibblies Drury runs through April 16 in the Studio Theatre of the Visual and Performing Arts Center at Western Connecticut State University. For tickets, visit wcsuvpac.eventbrite.com.

Next up at West Conn will be “Marat/Sade,” directed by Sal Trapani, running Apr. 21-30.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.