My overall impression
Does it matter that I’ve known Keena for several years and have worked with her professionally?
Yes.
When artists take a risk, such as Keena Ferguson has done with her one-woman show debut, “Keena: Unbranded”, it’s important to take note. It’s even more important to do so when it is a friend.
Ms. Ferguson covertly brands herself as a woman, as an actor, who still believes in Fairy Tales. She explains this through several courageously acted characters and vignettes, well-directed by the talented Tanya Alexander. These vignettes range from the poignant (“You’ve never seen anyone have sex before?”); to the funny (“Who do you think you are/meet me on the playground”); to the brave (“Mommy, don’t go in there”).
Along with powerful dance underscored by live music played sweetly by guitar soloist, Taro Morita, Keena fluidly becomes her own history teacher re-telling moments in her seemingly story-book life that have shaped and re-shaped who she is today.
As a friend, “Keena: Unbranded” leaves us quietly questioning how well we know this woman before us…while those experiencing her for the very first time, will be intrigued, encouraged and enticed to know much more.
Go.
