What I liked
I was impressed with the writing in this play, it definitely could become a great full-length drama. The playwright was very ambitious in writing a black woman at the lead (I believe he is male?), along with 3 other black women characters, and in my opinion did a pretty good job!
The show itself was simply a pleasure to watch, I was engaged the whole time. It was well-rehearsed and well-paced which yielded an effective experience as an audience member. As a black actress myself, I saw myself represented in all four of the female characters in different ways— and I especially appreciated the nod to queer black femmes through the character of Bailey.
Standout performances for me were:
Tanya Neely who led the main action of the play with zeal, truthfulness, and grace.
DeAnna Whitfield who was SO grounded, the perfect example of “bringing yourself to the role.”
David Rogers who CRACKED ME TF UP!!
Overall, great work to the whole team.
What I didn't like
For me, I thought there was room for less direction & blocking and more room for allowing the actors to find their way through the space naturally. Some of the blocking came across a bit unnatural.
From a script perspective, I think there could be more buildup to certain pivotal moments in the play. Mainly, I think that Bert’s outburst in the nominations scene felt a bit forced and needed more justification/lead-up. Similarly, the resolution to the conflict between him and Juanita seemed unearned, needed more there.
My overall impression
Wholesome, entertaining, and intentional with its writing. Solid and grounded performances. The Goodlucks uses Hollywood as a backdrop to explore family dynamics both unique to black families and universal to all families. It’s a reminder of why we adore black theatre and new work, especially when it’s both in one!
