White Guy on the Bus

Curious Theatre Company: 5/14 – 6/24

 

                         Sam Gregory and Jada Suzanne Dixon

With its production of Bruce Graham’s “White Guy on the Bus” Curious Theatre Company holds the mirror up to well-heeled white America. That which is reflected in this mirror with regard to racial bigotry and white entitlement is not new and most assuredly not pretty. By show’s end this haunting and provocative play leads us to a moment of violent rage. Don’t try to assume that you can guess what that will look like in advance. Mr. Graham’s non-linear play is miraculously unpredictable. The play is full of incendiary dialogue unveiling the lies we tell ourselves about civil rights and racial equality.

     Sam Gregory plays Ray, the white guy in question. Ray’s a financier who’s burnt out and verbalizes fantasies about leaving his job and living in blissful solitude like Thoreau or Gaugin. Gregory’s portrayal is wondrous in its ability to conjure emotions such as rage out of a character who appears to be a lost soul drifting in a world of ease and opulence.

    Jada Suzanne Dixon is Shatique, the single African-American mother, Ray meets on the bus. Dixon gives her budding acquaintance with Ray the suspicious, slow to warm credibility necessary to create the backdrop for the drama about to unfold in their lives.

     Dee Covington plays Ray’s wife, Roz, a dedicated teacher at an inner city school that’s 72% African American. Covington creates a forthright character whose outspoken personality is as compassionate as it is judgmental.

     Andy Waldschmidt plays Christopher, Ray and Roz’s surrogate son. Christopher’s entrée into the world of advertising has its own rules and regulations on the politically correct depiction of racial images specifically designed to persuade the masses to purchase its products.

     Rachel Bouchard portrays Molly, Christopher’s girl friend, as naïve and generally unable to keep up with Roz’s more seasoned arguments on racial issues.
     Chip Walton's direction is his usual professional excellence.
     Shannon McKinney’s lighting design, which manages to frame the piece in the stillness of an etheric post mortem fluidity, is exceptional. Jason Ducat’s sound design is outstanding. However …  Michael Duran’s limbo of a scenic design disappoints.

Thursdays – Saturdays: 8 pm
*note: there will be a performance on Wed, June 22 at 8pm Sundays: 2 pm
Talkbacks will follow all performances May 19 – June 24
Curious Theatre Company,
1080 Acoma Street, Denver CO, 80204 (Near 11th Avenue and Acoma Street)
Tickets start at $18
The Box Office is located at 1080 Acoma Street, Denver
303.623.0524 or online at www.curioustheatre.org