Posted: 9/20/17 at 10:00am
I saw last night's preview of Too Heavy for Your Pocket and thought the acting was terrific and the play was mostly strong, though it dragged a bit in act one and then became very plot-heavy in act two.
The play deals with interesting subject matter- two black couples in 1961 Tennessee deal with the struggles of raising a family, going to college and the whether it's better to fight for civil rights or take care of your loved ones at home in a more practical way. (Many of these themes were covered in the far superior Caroline, Or Change; "I Hate the Bus" could easily be interpolated for the lead male character. There's lots of singing in the play, so we know they could handle the score, and Nneka Okafor gives off an Anika Noni Rose so you half expect her to come out at the end and start singing, "Just one last thing left unsaid..."
Still, I think the acting makes it more than worthwhile to see this production. All four actors are great, but the two women- Nneka Okafor and Eboni Flowers- are just sensational. I loved their performances, which were both very strong, grounded and never forced. I hope to see these ladies on stage again soon.
The Underground has been completely transformed into an environmental space. Fake grass covers the entire room (even under the seats) and wooden planks have been hung on the walls all the around the seating area too. Even the name of the Underground series adds some, perhaps untended, symbolism to the play, but of course also brings up Caroline, or Change again with all the "nothin' happens underground in Louisiana, 'cause there ain't no underground in Louisiana/16 feet below sea level" motifs.
It was also nice to finally see Roundabout make the slightest attempt to program/cast something racial diverse.
