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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Appropriate Also see Gil's reviews of Kimberly Akimbo, Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Show, Disney's Beauty and the Beast and Sweat
The play centers on the three siblings of the Lafayette family who gather at their late father's crumbling Arkansas plantation house to settle his estate. As they sort through the remnants of his life, long-simmering resentments from their pasts surface. This is fueled by the shocking discovery of items tied to the home's dark history that might also change their positive perspective of their father. Jacobs-Jenkins' writing offers a brutally honest yet at times darkly humorous exploration of a dysfunctional family reckoning with their past as well as an expose into how a white family deals with their inherent and ancestral racism. The dialogue is sharp and unflinching with moments of raw vulnerability, and the script shows how the family's arguments reveal their struggles with personal failures. The house and its ghosts are also used as a haunting symbol of what the family is trying to bury. Jacobs-Jenkins' ability to weave ghostly Southern Gothic elements with modern family drama creates an ongoing tension that keeps the audience engaged throughout. The actors all shine in their respective roles, bringing the characters to life with authenticity and emotional weight. As Toni, the domineering, abrasive, and sharp-tongued eldest sibling, Selena Costantini delivers a powerhouse performance, capturing Toni's fierce determination and her underlying desperation and pain. Logan Beers plays middle sibling Bo with a mix of charm and frustration, effectively balancing his role as both a mediator and a man grappling with his own insecurities. Alex Parker brings sensitivity and nuance to the youngest brother, Franz, a troubled soul with a host of issues who is making his attempts at redemption. All three actors deliver riveting performances that are sympathetic, fraught with tension, and entirely believable. The supporting cast includes Madison Escarcega, who delivers a grounded performance as Bo's wife Rachael, the outsider of the family who often clashes with Toni, and Hollyn Abraham, who is appropriately warm, optimistic, and open hearted as River, Franz's spiritual and free-spirited girlfriend who is not afraid to speak her mind. Layne Boone and Robin Brown deliver assured performances as Toni's withdrawn son Rhys and Bo's teenage daughter Cassidy. Jackson Birch and Devin Nixon round out the ensemble in small but important roles. Mace Archer's direction expertly guides his cast to deliver fully believable performances that continually heighten the emotional impact of the story. He does a wonderful job with the staging to ensure the pacing and intensity are fluid and that there is a perfect balance between the intense drama and the few lighthearted moments in the plot. The rich creative elements further elevate the production, with a stunning set by Jeff Rudolph that vividly depicts the dilapidated plantation home, filled with details that evoke the weight of both the houses and the family's history. The prop design by Sarah Salmi, particularly the inclusion of old photos and artifacts, adds an eerie authenticity that immerses the audience in the Lafayettes' unsettling discoveries. The costumes by Ava Hendricks are character specific. Kinsey Moore's lighting works well to portray the bright days and late nights, and the effective sound design by Elizabeth Witte delivers several moments that are unsettling. Appropriate at Mesa Community College is a powerful and thought-provoking production. The exceptional cast, insightful direction, and impressive design work come together to create a production that dives deep into this dysfunctional family while challenging audiences to reflect on issues of family, history and accountability. Appropriate runs through December 7, 2024, at Mesa Community College, Southern & Dobson Campus, 1833 W. Southern Avenue, Mesa AZ. For tickets and information, please visit MesaCC.edu Directed by Mae Archer Cast: |
