Review: Virginia Beach theater's 'Stick Fly' offers a captivating experience
The playbill's mention of an 'entomological consultant' is intriguing, and director ArLynn Parker's gratitude to entomologist Maurice A. Cullen adds a unique touch. Despite potential bug-related concerns, the play is a delightful family-vacation comedy. The six characters, all highly educated, including a professional bug-studying Taylor (Salem Rogers), are a diverse group. Five are Black, and the sixth, Kimber (Kristen Martwinski), is a white character who stands out for her lack of melanin, as noted by another character. The play is set in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, in 2005, and the creator, playwright Lydia R. Diamond, is celebrated for her stage adaptation of Toni Morrison's 'The Bluest Eye'.
The characters' economic backgrounds are diverse, with most being well-off. Cheryl, the young maid, is headed to NYU or an Ivy League school, and her mother, Miss Ellie, is an offstage character. The family gathering includes a wealthy neurosurgeon, Joe LeVay (Roger Wilson), who is often on the phone with the cottage, creating a dramatic puzzle for the audience. The two sons, Flip (Ra'Melle Marshall) and Kent (Yonathan Tekleab), bring their respective partners, Kimber and Taylor, to the all-Black gathering. Kent's upcoming novel publication is met with disdain by his father, who doesn't consider fiction writing a real profession.
The play explores themes of race, class, and privilege, with a touch of humor and drama. The characters' interactions, from squabbles to fights, showcase their human flaws. The production's set design, by Sandy Lawrence, reflects the characters' affluence, with genuine Romare Bearden paintings on the walls. However, the lack of walls to divide spaces is a minor drawback, but the small stage area is a challenge for interior wall representation.
'Stick Fly' offers valuable insights into human behavior, with moments of humor and wisdom. The play's well-received nature is evident, as Google AI now defines 'stick fly' based on a passage from the script. The production is a real buzz, and Page Laws, dean emerita of the Nusbaum Honors College, recommends it. Details: ltvb.com, 757-428-9233. When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays through February 8th.
