Milk Like Sugar

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 11/6/11 at 11:34pm

I searched but couldn't find anything already posted about this. I caught the evening performance, and after some initial hesitation I ended up really digging it.

My main draw was to see Tonya Pinkins, who ended up having a smaller role, but made excellent use of her stage time. Her delivery of each line is so effective it almost gives me chills. This is definitely a case of purchasing a ticket to see a certain performer and walking out being impressed with the whole cast and play.

The plot focuses on three young Black girls who make a pact to get pregnant at the same time. (One is already admittedly pregnant and expects the other two to catch up quickly!) Angela Lewis played the lead girl and literally never left the stage. I thought she ended up turning in a knock out performance and never realized how involved I got in her life until the final blackout.

Really, though, it was an ensemble piece and everyone had a moment to flex their acting muscle. Cherise Boothe has a knockout monologue in the latter half of the play. I hadn't warmed to her character up to that point, but looking back at her performance as whole I see what she was doing. Really some fine work.

[April Saul]

Posted: 11/7/11 at 12:50am

I caught this Friday night and really enjoyed it, too...Pinkins is the kind of performer I'd follow anywhere and the young girls were uniformly terrific. Very good stuff...highly recommended!