What a gorgeous show. What a gorgeous cast. What a time to be witnessing such a play.

These are the first words that must be uttered after watching the world premiere of SHE at the Antaeus Theatre Company, written by Marlow Wyatt and directed by Andi Chapman (who knocks it out once more after watching her The Bluest Eye only just last month).

Watching a production like this gives me joyous hope that there is an undeniable need for new stories and new perspectives in the theatre world. I might have uttered these words before in previous theatre reviews this year but within the world of Los Angeles theatre, there is a pulse beating stronger than ever to see fully realized stories told by underrepresented communities in their own way. And that, my readers, is quite beautiful to see.

Antaeus Theatre Company presents the world premiere of SHE, a poignant, magical and lyrical coming-of-age American drama about a young woman finding her voice. After receiving a rare opportunity to attend a prestigious boarding school, 13-year old SHE Sojourner Freeman discovers that the small town she was so desperate to escape is filled with the very people who give her wings to fly.

With a 10 minute intermission, SHE clocks in at around 2 hours and 30 minutes but I bring up the play length so that one, you as the audience member are aware of its length, and two, that you won’t feel it whatsoever. Camille Ariana Spirlin (as the titled She) is absolutely electric as the main lead and along with Lorenz Arnell (who plays her best friend Davie Mansaw with such earnestness, charm, and immensely likeable swagger), these two convey fantastic chemistry as 13-year old best friends whose friendship evolve into something more in a coming-of-age tale that has made me (and many audience members that night) root for them. The final scene between the two will simply take your breath away.

The rest of the ensemble cast are equally on par with their excellence, with so much of the spotlight also given to Karen Malina White as SHE’s hard-working, single mother Bernice and Jon Chaffin as Bernice’s charismatic gambler boyfriend, Mr. Lonnie. White imbues her role with so much compassion and anguish as her character who is desperately doing her best to raise her only child by herself and White effectively carries the immense weight of the world while doing so. Chaffin pulls off the extremely difficult task of giving so much charm to Mr. Lonnie despite the fact that he is truly a no-good, lying son of a b**** (as one audience member who sat next to me muttered while shaking her head).

Rounding out the cast are Veronica Thompson as the eagle-eyed town matriarch, Miss Jane, and Gerard Joseph as the city-slick hustler Othalee. While these two aren’t as present in the play as the rest of the actors, the moments they do get are fully utilized and both stamp their presences in such a memorable way. Thompson plays her role so well that I too wish I had someone like in my community while growing up as as kid as Miss Jane represents the kind of people who maintain the need for discipline & order while also being able to show vulnerability and kindness when most needed.

Joseph is just in one scene at the beginning of Act II but how he creates such a fully realized character that you sympathize greatly for and immediately despise later in one crushing moment has all the makings of a masterful actor. It requires such a talent as this particular scene represents all the hopes and dreams shattered in a single despicable act and it is also here that I appreciate the storytelling elements that some of the most horrifying moments that can happen to a person do not be shown but rather implied.

Bravo to writer Marlow Wyatt and director Andi Chapman for not only creating a story that is a period reflection of a young Black girl growing up in the 1970s but a timeless tale of hope overcoming all odds. It is both a culturally specific and universal story and for that, I hope to see this production take wings in many other theatres across the country.

Along with Wyatt and Chapman is the terrific creative team that includes scenic designer Eli Sherlock, lighting designer Andrew Schmedake, sound designer Jeff Gardner, video designer Nick Santiago, costume designer Wendell C. Carmichael and properties designer Katie Iannitello. The assistant director is Jessica Williams and the production stage manager is Camella Cooper.

WHAT:
Antaeus Theatre Company presents the world premiere of SHE, a poignant, magical and lyrical coming-of-age American drama about a young woman finding her voice. After receiving a rare opportunity to attend a prestigious boarding school, 13-year old SHE Sojourner Freeman discovers that the small town she was so desperate to escape is filled with the very people who give her wings to fly.

WHO:
• Written by Marlow Wyatt
• Directed by Andi Chapman
• Starring Lorenz Arnell, Jon Chaffin, Gerard Joseph, Camille Ariana Spirlin, Veronica Thompson, Karen Malina White
• Presented by Antaeus Theatre Company

WHEN:
Previews: Oct. 15–Oct. 19
Performances: Oct. 20–Nov. 20
• Tuesday at 8 p.m.: Oct. 17 ONLY (preview)
• Wednesday at 8 p.m.: Oct. 18 ONLY (preview)
• Thursday at 8 p.m.: Oct. 19 (preview), Nov. 9 and Nov. 16 ONLY
• Fridays at 8 p.m.: Oct. 20 (opening), Oct. 27, Nov. 3, Nov. 10, Nov. 17
• Saturdays at 2 p.m.: Nov. 11 and Nov. 18 ONLY
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Oct. 21, Oct. 28, Nov. 4, Nov. 11, Nov. 18
• Sundays at 2 p.m.: Oct. 15 (preview), Oct. 22, Oct. 29, Nov. 5, Nov. 12, Nov. 19
• Mondays at 8 p.m.: Oct. 30, Nov. 6, Nov. 13, Nov. 20 (dark Oct. 23)

WHERE:
Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center
110 East Broadway
Glendale, CA 91205
(between N. Brand Blvd. and Artsakh Ave.)

PARKING:
First 90 minutes free, then $2 per hour in Glendale Marketplace garage located at 120 S. Artsakh Ave. (between Broadway and Harvard)

TICKET PRICES:
• All performances (reserved seating): $40
• Previews: $20

HOW:
Antaeus.org
(818) 506-1983