Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
Produced by Jessica Lynn Johnson, written & performed by Janora McDuffie and directed by Joseph Megel,
Earth, Wind & Car Fire is a storytelling joyride shaped by melody, memory, and the power of telling it all. In pursuit of her dream, she moved from Atlanta to California. Janora comes on with lots of energy and tells the story of a woman who was neglected as a child, and her interesting journey of breaking free from life's expectations. Her storytelling was dynamic throughout the performance.
With this heartfelt reflection of her life's journey, she explores race, sexuality, pain, despair, anger, frustration, sadness, happiness and joy. Living in fear is not an answer, so she becomes a bartender and finds herself at lesbian night. She wants to be allowed to be who she is and be attracted to who touches her heart. To be bisexual and find love in both sexes is beautiful to her. Her heart responded to a white girl - a police officer, who she married. We saw on the screen behind her the film clips from her special day, one of the most beautiful weddings I've seen. Her parents came from Atlanta to support her, yet the parents of a white girl did not. Janora's strong performance is heartfelt, honest and colorful, and her delivery is delightful.
Janora McDuffie
is an actor, voiceover artist, speaker and host who brings authenticity and heart to every stage. Whether on screen, behind the mic, or in front of a live audience, she has built a dynamic and multifaceted career in entertainment.
Earth, Wind and Car Fire was presented first as a stage reading for the 25th Anniversary Black Queer Conference in April 2025. She is honored to continue this in-progress work celebrating the intersections of Blackness, queerness, and art-bringing her voice, her story, and her full self to the stage.
The play is produced by Jessica Lynn Johnson, who is a published playwright, recipient of BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST AWARD, Advisory Board Member of the LA Women's Theatre Festival, Co-Executive Producer of the Joshua Tree Solo Theatre Festival, and Founder & CEO of Soaring Solo Studios International.' With this production, she has another wonderful performance under her belt.
Skillfully directed by Joseph Megel, who is Artistic Director of StreetSigns and Co-Executive Director of Harland's Creek Productions, producer of new plays, screenplays, and short films, this solo-play is highly recommended, this play is highly recommended.
The performances are at El Centro (main space) at 1103 North El Centro Ave, Hollywood, CA, 90038. The show runs on Saturday, JUNE 21 at 2pm; Sunday, JUNE 22 at 7:45pm, and Sunday, JUNE 29 at 3:15pm.
There is street parking around the theatre.
The tickets could be purchased at: https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/12276?tab=tickets