What I love so much about the theatre is the emotions it can evoke. Some performances are uplifting, while others challenge your perspectives. While I do love a feel-good story, there is something so raw and captivating about shows that make me uncomfortable. It often leads me to question my preconceptions. It can be a risk, but when done well, it makes for a show that you will never forget. And I can safely say, I will never forget Fairview.
Fairview, written by Jackie Sibblies Drury and directed by Anthony D’Juan, opens in the living room of the Frasiers, a middle-class black family, with “River Deep Mountain High” playing in the background. Beverly is trying to hold it together and make the perfect birthday celebration for her mother. It feels very sitcom-esque as she is obsessively cooking and cleaning while her husband makes silly goof ups, her sister is having a little too much to drink, her brother is missing, and her daughter is a typical teenager. Keisha, her daughter, has a monologue about how she loves her family, how excited she is for the future, but something feels…off. Could it be they are being…watched? As the narrative unfolds, the play digs deep into the audience’s perspective on race and social justice.
Jackie Sibblies Drury’s writing is nothing short of remarkable. Not only did she write a powerful show, but she did so in a sharp and witty way by blending humor with social critique. I was on the edge of my seat as I never knew the next move the show was going to take. At the very end of the show, you are hit with the blunt and unexpected ending. It was a show stopping experience to see this at Capital Stage, and their intimate setting amplifies the writing and message.
I have said it before and I will say it again, the actors at Capital Stage blew my socks off. I had the pleasure of seeing Kathryn Smith-McGlynn and Adrian Roberts in Clydes at Capital Stage. It was a pleasure to see them in a totally different light as Beverly and Dayton. I also cannot say enough words of praise for Kali Honeywood who played Keisha. This recent Sacramento State graduate gave the performance of a lifetime that was so moving and emotional. I can’t wait to see this rising star in future productions.
This year marks Capital Stage’s 20th anniversary season and they started it with a bang. Fairview is a thought-provoking work that pushes the boundaries of conventional theater. It invites audiences to examine their own biases while delivering a memorable experience. You can catch the show now through September 29 at Capital Stage. Learn more here.
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