By Ruth Ferguson, NDG Editor
In Real Life brings to close the trilogy of plays written by actress Charlayne Woodard, and Jubilee Theatre’s fans will be sadden to see the series come to an end. For those who have seen the previous productions of Pretty Fire and Neat, they truly feel like they know Woodard’s journey. In Real Life will certainly not disappoint fans of the trilogy or newcomers like myself.
A one woman production starring Ebony Marshall-Oliver, In Real Life follows Woodard from her arrival in New York City with her “five monologues: Sophocles, Shakespeare, Chekhov, Tennessee Williams, and Ntozake Shange,” prepared for auditions she was confident would propel her to a career as a serious actress. Starry-eyed and confident she was going to set Broadway on fire playing real people or respected roles. But sometimes life takes us on a totally different journey – it can be a delightful journey – just not the one you had planned.
For the audience, In Real Life, is an enjoyable discovery which has only one person on stage but you meet and discover the joy and pain of probably close to 20. All of these characters are brought to life for us in very distinct and unique representations by Marshall-Oliver. Her costume is simple, the stage is minimal with just a New York backdrop and a single wooden chair. So the burden of success rests on the lovely shoulders of Marshall-Oliver. Not only does she deliver, she does it in the presence of Woodard who was in the audience with her husband Harris Friday night.
After the show the two women discussed their journey and if the play was not inspirational enough – listening to these two elegant ladies discuss their ups and downs on their path to success was worth the price of a ticket by itself. Woodard never planned to be a writer, and Marshall-Oliver was convinced her days as a performer were likely over. Audiences are grateful they were both wrong.
With the death of her beloved “grandmama” and a command performance required by her minister’s wife at a women’s retreat, Woodard discovered the need to tell the story of the women who have meant so much to their family and their community. The unsung women who through the years have helped propel their children, grandchildren or sometimes just the neighbor’s kids to dream and pursue those dreams with full gusto. These women had their dreams, but given the limitations of society at those points in our history – their dreams became deferred but become alive though the children they love. From there the trilogy was brought to life by Woodard.
Jubilee Theatre fans have had the privilege of now enjoying all three productions brought to life by Marshall-Oliver and just as the plays were a part of the theatre’s rebirth over the last three years – the opportunity provided Marshall-Oliver to discover her days as an actress were not over. Her career started brightly, but as a young bride and then mother she made the decision to step away from the stage. Returning later, she was not greeted with anything other no no and no. She was beginning to resolve that perhaps she should begin to settle for teaching other actors and forget about performing on stage herself. But a call from a friend telling her about auditions for Pretty Fire led to the artistic director telling Marshall-Oliver the role was her’s if she wanted it.
In Real Life is on stage at the Jubilee Theatre until March 1. Do not miss this opportunity to see an entertaining, but thought provoking production! You will be reminded that we can have the biggest of dreams, but sometimes In Real Life, when we open ourselves up to a different journey life can be so much richer than we imagined.
This is the last week NDG readers can enter to win a pair of tickets to see In Real Life. Visit our Facebook page here and enter for a chance to win.
