Uncomfortable, powerful, and seeing are words to describe Fairview. The need to get uncomfortable with the way that we see race in America. I got way too comfortable in the beginning. Not realizing we were “watching” a Black family sitcom. Seeing Black people in the way they interact-caring, lovable, and carefree. This play written by Jackie Sibblies Drury and directed by Pulitzer Prize winner James Ijames was a thought provoking conversation that left me and many others stunned.
Fairview and What does it mean to be Black
From the beginning as we watch the family get ready to celebrate their Mother/Grandmother’s birthday we see them interacting what I would deem to be normal. From the cooking, sibling bickering, kid being a kid, and more nothing seems odd. It’s at that point of this normal banter we see the writers/producers take their stab and all their interjection of what it is to be Black. God forbid we come from a solid home of talented family members?
Are you Enough?
Beverly played by Melanye Finister is the Mom who simply wants the dinner to be perfect. From prepping the food, and checking her sister, Jasmine (played by Jaylene Clark Owens) the sister banter is nothing short of normality. Enter Dayton (Lindsay Smiling) and you see the Husband and Wife dynamic play out as it would in any other home. Kesha(Brett Ashley Robinson) the over accomplished daughter is overwhelmed and wants to delay her college entrance. Kesha’s many sports reminds me a lot of myself growing up. Doing all you can do to be a great student and athlete. Even with all of that-someone will see you as a pregnancy waiting to happen. I actually had a guidance counselor tell me that.
The Switch in Fairview
It was when the blinds go up and you watch Suze (Krista Apple), Mack (Keith J. Conallen), BETS (MK Tuomanen) and Jimbo (Matteo Scammell) dissect this family. It was the first time I saw the Frasier family as characters instead of people. Isn’t that how the real world works? Not seeing Black people as humans and instead the need to tell them, direct them, and place them in roles no one asked to be in. Focus on their swagger. Pay attention to their (Black women) assertiveness. Let’s mold a whole group of people and make them do as we please. There’s no way that Black people have the ability to exist in their space without White guilt transforming them in their way. The switch in roles is something we “see” all the time but the execution always falls short.
Ending Thought in Fairview
At the end, the Frasier Family, turn it around. Without getting into exactly high-it was the first time I felt seen. Sitting with eyes on me but really eyes on them had me still in my spirit for the first time ever. Silent and tears in my eyes I was just merely existing without judgment. It would be nice to flip this in real life and make it stick. Would that cause the notion of what it means to be Black change in America? If only a few could really see the errors of their ways could that be the catalyst for change? The use of music in this production was strategic. The songs were necessary and I paid attention and “heard and saw” them and their use of messaging.
The acting in this is powerful and strong. From the repetitiveness of scenes to the emotions of reality that I can’t help replay in my head multiple times since I encountered it. You will not leave the same and if you do-therein is the issue and work that is to be done on an individual level. So I need you to see this transformative body of work. This production has been extended until June 26th. So grab your tickets now. Thank you to Wilma Theatre for having me.
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