ENDS
For several years, I've had the pleasure of conversing with playwright David Alex, aka Superman. Let's Play Theatrical Review is pleased to announce the inaugural production of his play, Ends, now playing at DavJasFran Entertainment. Winner of the African-American Theatre Program of the University of Lousiville, Joseph Jefferson Committee member Alex, and Director Davette J. Franklin, socio-political drama is thoroughly engaging. Founded in 2016 to help new artists get discovered, Davette J. Franklin is the owner of Dreamers Yolo! DavJasFan Entertainment's small location, but its vision is considerable. Franklin wants to help others build their theatrical resume while entering the entertainment business.
Set in 1967, you meet the very articulate, eloquent, self-educated Kingsley. For the past eighteen years, a thirty-year-old African-American man has lived alone in a secluded cabin, waiting for his father to return. He has educated himself through books from his parents but lacks present-day knowledge about some historical and present events. Nevertheless, he retains his sanity; by forming relationships with items inside the house and providing names; however, he is abruptly interrupted by a rackety knocking on his door. Unfamiliar with communicating with the outside world, Kingsley is frightened by the intrusion and seeks to scare away his unwanted guest. However, the door is unobstructed, and the intruder, looking to get out of the storm, forcibly takes refuge in Kingsley's cabin.
“Let’s start from the beginning. My name is Glober. From the beginning, you were outside”
His intruder, who seeks shelter from the storm, is a returning Vietnam veteran named Glober, who is white. This terrestrial encounter instantaneously provides a different racial viewpoint and catapults the two men into debates about the divisiveness of racism, and the injustice within humanity and society, causing both men to ponder whether they want to rejoin a world that never treated them fairly.
““I’m so tired of waiting, aren’t you, for the world to become good, and beautiful, and kind?””
Rejinal Simon was sensational as Kingsley, the articulate man-child whose father left him at twelve to oppose racial injustice against the negro and fight for his equality. I was thoroughly impressed with his stage command, mannerism, and presence, which was captivating.
Peter Kattner III, a Chicago-based actor, captured the role of Glober. The simple-minded veteran, returning from Vietnam, a horrific and devastating war that caused him to experience agonizing flashbacks.
Indicative of our world today, this 90-minute play's conclusion asks each individual to ponder if we should join an evil society and work together to make it better for all humanity or seclude ourselves from its wickedness. The door is open; now the question is how it ENDS!
Let's Play Theatrical Review Recommends End by playwright David Alex at the DavJasFran Entertainment.
DavJasFran Entertainment/Dreamers Yolo Theater
Ends
Playwright: David Alex
Director Davette J. Franklin
July 14 - July 31, 2022
