Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
Covering the full spectrum of emotions in a sensuous love story by Angelica Chéri that was inspired by a prison chain gang song from Parchman Farm, the performances in Berta, Berta are the absolute cornerstone of the play’s success, giving an indubitably pleasing performance to its audience. Truly a memorable show!
Greatly written by Angelica Chéri and masterfully directed by Andi Chapman, this story covers what happens in 1920s Mississippi when a colored man is breathing on the wrong side of town. Leroy Grant, portrayed by DeJuan Christopher, did what he had to do for three long years — to stay alive in prison, where being treated as a slave, his heart and thoughts were on his sweetheart that he was missing so much and carried him to stay strong and survive. When he disappeared Berta, portrayed by Kacie Rogers, married and bore a stillborn baby.
The show immediately transported us into the early-20th-century American South, with its original sound design by Jeff Gardner, and the scenic design by Amanda Knehans. In Berta’s cabin, the true love between two souls is played from the very start. Through the hurt and through the passion, two hearts are healing each other by breaking through the walls of the unknown letting only the understanding, forgiveness, and passion of their hearts speak. With the authentic costume designs by Wendell C. Carmichael and the perfect lighting design by Andrew Schmedake, the producers Joy DeMichelle and Chris Fields (the founding Artistic Director of The Echo Theater Company) explore the fantasy of two people’s dreams and let the chemistry between them be the guiding miracle for their fulfillment of each other, through the touch and zestfulness of their hearts. The show is highly recommended; it heals hearts all around by letting the love flow. Jessica E. Williams is the assistant director and Bianca Martucci Rickheim is the production stage manager.
The West Coast premiere of Berta, Berta runs at the Echo Theater Company – Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90039 from July 19 through August 25 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays at 8 p.m. / Sundays at 4 p.m. Tickets on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are $38, and on Mondays it is Pay-What-You-Want.
For more information and to purchase tickets, call (747) 350-8066 or go to EchoTheaterCompany.com
Parking is FREE in the Atwater Crossing (AXT) lot one block south of the theater.