Presented by Ministry of Theatre
Written by Donna Daley, Alexandria Victoria Wong, Denice Lowery, Renee Luv, Pris Olivia, Veronica Pruitt, Shorty, Jes Ryan, Odelle Weaver
Music directed by Marissa Wahkuna
Choreography by Angelica Potter
Created and directed by Misch Whitaker
Dec. 18 – 21, 2014
Boston Playwright’s Theatre
949 Commonwealth Ave
Boston, MA
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Review by Kitty Drexel
(Boston, MA) During the height of Occupy Boston’s reign in Dewey Square, a friend told me a story about the transition of Dewey Square into public park space. Her story goes that the question of homeless people was brought to the Board managing construction. The Board almost unanimously decided that the Homeless shouldn’t be considered in their planning. One lone soldier of justice spoke up to say that the Homeless needed to exist somewhere. The soldier continued that Rich people didn’t want them in the private sector. Rich people didn’t want them in the public sector either. Should the Board kill them? The Board was shocked. No, of course the Homeless shouldn’t be killed. The Homeless should simply be somewhere else so the Rich wouldn’t have to think of them. The soldier of justice demanded to know where the Homeless should exist in order to please the Board. The Board then unanimously decided that maybe it was beneficial to consider the Homeless in their plans.
I have no idea if this story is actually true or if it’s a fantastical story created during a time when Boston was at its most activist. The moral still rings true: there are no worthless people; there are only people willing to treat others like they are worthless because it’s convenient. One doesn’t have to be rich think ill of someone in differing circumstances than their own. We’ve all done it and we should all make the conscious, continuous effort to stop. Class warfare is real.
Like any city or town in any state in the US, Boston still has a large population of displaced individuals. Most of them are just like you and me. They are people trying to live, heal and grow as best they can with the lot life has given them. They are people trying to live, heal and grow as best they can with the lot life has given them. Stories Without Roofs: Writing Home tells their stories.
As told through poetry, dance, song and prose, Writing Home is a compilation of stories in six movements of women who have experienced homelessness and the despair, joys, hopes, invisibility and insights that come with the experience. They are strong and vulnerable, sincere and insightful. They have gone to college, raised families, read the right books and said the right things and still they became homeless. Video clips from the authors reading their own works are featured between several movements. These writers tell us that their story could be our story. There is a talk back featuring the writers and the cast after the performance.
The actors Kathleen Burke, Megan Dilworth, Aaluk Edwardson, Jasmine Rush, and Marjorie Tatum give sincere performances. Were I to find fault, it would be in their execution rather than characterization. It is the responsibility of the actor to deliver an objective performance as free as is possible from personal bias. There were moments when the deeply felt sympathy of the actors collided with the material they were presenting. Scenery was subtly chewed. While it didn’t detract from the production, it interrupt the pacing and caused the audience to disconnect.
This production is a pleasantly painful experience. There are funny vignettes but most of the production relays the realities of homelessness in raw detail. The writing keeps focus on the experiences of being homeless and not the happy endings the media likes to package into pretty packages for Christmas. These are not Disney stories of penniless lasses who bloom into wealthy princesses of the realm. These are women who have been failed by the system and society and lived to tell the tale.
It is important that audience members remember that this is not an opportunity to navel gaze. This production should inspire the viewer to treat the Homeless with kindness, understanding, and most of all, respect. They are people. They deserve the benefit of the doubt and a sounding board for their woes. We must remember that this production is not about us. It is about them. The most important job for an ally is to listen and then act in ways to improve the lives of the displaced. If you want to help then help in the ways that the afflicted prefer.
If you’d like to help, more information can be found through On The Rise.
More Than Words is an excellent program that works with kids in the foster care system. Both are nonprofits and welcome donations of many types.
