Published: Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Humor, drama in ‘Brownie Points'
Moms mix laughs, tantrums in Tap serio-com
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Photo by Erik Stuhaug
Nikki Visel, Casi Wilkerson, Amy Love and Karen Ann Daniels in Taproot's production of “Brownie Points.”
Janece Shaffer asked herself this question when she sat down to write “Brownie Points”: “What is more powerful, the shared experience of motherhood or the divisiveness of racism?”
The answer Shaffer came up with was: modern-day moms -- three white, two black -- on an overnight campout with their Girl Scout daughters outside, and alone in a mountain cabin.
How's that for a powder keg?
Well, the fuse lights when the black moms get assigned kitchen duty and the white moms fun and games with the girls. A black mom objects. Tempers flare, emotions explode and explode and …
Faith Russell dynamites the drama as Deidre, a surgeon who climbed from an upbringing in racist Georgia to the top of her profession. Russell registers righteous indignation evolving into centered awareness; inspiring performance.
Actress Karen Ann Daniels, as Nicole, tempers the drama with lightweight amiability. The Daniels effect is stabilizing.
Casi Wilkerson's Allison makes more than meets the eye out of take-charge types. The reason why tugs to your heart strings.
Amy Love is a love as Jamie, the sympathetic Jew forever busy keeping peace.
Nikki Visel's Sue backgrounds the battlefield with a single mom's loneliness.
This is up-to-the-minute issues and answers, focused on moms doing the best they can. The talk is engaging; the sense of humor, fresh; and Karen Lund's directing, on track.
Guys, ever wonder why women are so tough? “Brownie Points” preaches talk, listen, ask and move on.
Reactions? Comments? Email Dale Burrows at grayghost7@comcast.net or entertainment@weeklyherald.com.
‘Brownie Points'
When: Through June 18
Where: Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St., Seattle
Tickets: $27-$35, www.taproottheatre.org/buy-tickets
The answer Shaffer came up with was: modern-day moms -- three white, two black -- on an overnight campout with their Girl Scout daughters outside, and alone in a mountain cabin.
How's that for a powder keg?
Well, the fuse lights when the black moms get assigned kitchen duty and the white moms fun and games with the girls. A black mom objects. Tempers flare, emotions explode and explode and …
Faith Russell dynamites the drama as Deidre, a surgeon who climbed from an upbringing in racist Georgia to the top of her profession. Russell registers righteous indignation evolving into centered awareness; inspiring performance.
Actress Karen Ann Daniels, as Nicole, tempers the drama with lightweight amiability. The Daniels effect is stabilizing.
Casi Wilkerson's Allison makes more than meets the eye out of take-charge types. The reason why tugs to your heart strings.
Amy Love is a love as Jamie, the sympathetic Jew forever busy keeping peace.
Nikki Visel's Sue backgrounds the battlefield with a single mom's loneliness.
This is up-to-the-minute issues and answers, focused on moms doing the best they can. The talk is engaging; the sense of humor, fresh; and Karen Lund's directing, on track.
Guys, ever wonder why women are so tough? “Brownie Points” preaches talk, listen, ask and move on.
Reactions? Comments? Email Dale Burrows at grayghost7@comcast.net or entertainment@weeklyherald.com.
‘Brownie Points'
When: Through June 18
Where: Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St., Seattle
Tickets: $27-$35, www.taproottheatre.org/buy-tickets