BlackBalled

What I liked

Several of the actors turned in strong layered performers. Asia Lynn Pitts and Twon Pope were stand outs. There was a clear sense of their characters, their relationships with each other – and with everyone else on stage. Their story arcs were fascinating. I enjoyed that Jackie Robinson was not the focus, but the culmination of the story.

The evolution of Miss Pitt’s character arc was by far the most thoroughly explored. At the end, a single reference to Doctors Orders, would lead us to believe that Mr. Popes character is ill or dying. I wanted to know more about that and how it might affect the work the character was doing. (or I’d cut the line entirely).

What I didn't like

I’m sorry to say that actor Alex Skinners diction is so poor that I truly lost about 1/2 of what he was saying. And I was in the 5th row. He also failed to project his voice to the audience, and several times was speaking upstage. This is theatre, not television. If we can’t hear you or understand you, there’s no point. I lost interest in his character frequently as I couldn’t figure out what he was saying. And yet, when he slowed down or spoke up (while depicting anger, or to say something pointedly) I got every word and was brough back into the story.

I did not understand Robby DeVillez’ character purpose in the beginning of the piece – at all. The character as written was terrific, and had a clear life, but it took a long time to get to why he was there in a position of such prominence. Everything he did was downstage R – which gave it weight…. but why? I would suggest actually starting his characters space upstage R, and in each successive scene have his area move a few feet downstage, as the character becomes more relevant and integral. This would also allow you to move the main set (the Negro League office) downstage a bit so the bulk of the piece is closer to the audience. P.S. him in his underwear having been ripped off by hookers felt superfluous and didn’t add anything except a guy in his underwear on stage for no real reason.

If the bench (used as bleachers) were along the SL wall as part of the office (assuming the office were to be a little further downstage), it would take less effort to move it into place and save time in the scenic shifts. There were some deadly pauses in the black outs as we waited for V/O which became little more than a device to deliver exposition. If that’s what it’s for … record it so it sounds like authentic radio broadcasts… maybe even have a radio in the office that is turned off at the end of a VO piece so the scene can begin.

also if there are sound cues used, like the music at the bar, the radio thing….why not baseball crowds (low murmering) as well. They’re in ball parks several times… audio cues would have brought us there a bit more fully. Especially at the end w/ Robinsons home run!

I didn’t understand why Asia Lynn Pitts was under the table at the top of the show at all. Just didn’t get it.

The time period is very specific. Accuracy in wardrobe and props (even if just to paint the green rotary phone black, or the men in black or bown wingtip leather shoes) would have helped a great deal.

My overall impression

The story is a compelling one and one which I very much wanted to see played out on stage. I know it was a preview/opening, but the number of incredibly slow, and (several incorrect) tech cues, slowed the pace of the show to a degree that truly detracted from the experience. Actors were left onstage waiting for lights to come up several times. Also there was a photographer in the booth shooting the show whose camera chirped and clicked with every shot — those sounds can be turned off. It was incredibly distracting.