By VICKIE CORNELIUS PHIPPS
A Seat on the Aisle
Playwright Pearl Cleage’s 1992 historical drama, Flyin’ West is set in the all-Black town of Nicodemus on the Kansas frontier in 1898. In the decades following the Civil War, many former slaves and their descendants took advantage of the federal Homestead Act, which opened vast amounts of Western lands for people willing to settle in the underdeveloped and often difficult regions of the country.
In Flyin’ West, 35 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, four brave women show great strength as they confront their harsh new environment, threats of domestic violence, and enduring challenge of racism as free citizens and landowners. Their courage is tested when an unexpected deadly threat invades their home in this surprising story set in the Old West.
Director Raelle Myrick-Hodges assembles a fine cast for the fourth opening in the 50th season at Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT). The focus is on sisters Sophie and Fannie, who own their home in Nicodemus, Kan., which has been growing thanks to the influx of other Black settlers. They have taken in Miss Leah – surrogate matriarch, opinionated, and former slave whose many children were taken from her and sold to other plantation owners. They enjoy their freedom and a relatively peaceful existence until sister Minnie returns for a visit with her abusive husband, Frank, played by Allen Tedder.
Tedder underplays Frank, who is of a mixed race and longs to be accepted by whites. I would like to have seen more inner struggles within his character that justified his abusive behavior. Lovestruck Minnie, sweetly played by Kayla Mary Jane, desires to stand by her man but is grounded in sisterhood. Fannie, played by L’Oreal Lampley, centers optimistic beliefs for marital bliss while nurturing a budding romance with helpful and dependable neighbor Wil. Wil Parrish, solidly portrayed by Enoch King, is determined to keep the women safe.
Nuggets of drama and humor capture our heart and imagination with the help of Dwandra Nickole Lampkin, the soul of this melodrama as Miss Leah. Sophie Dove, played by Lakesha Lorene, the strong and independent sister, totes a gun in most scenes. Lorene works this character as a no-nonsense woman with a deep commitment to keep her independence and freedom.
Set Designer Junghyun Georgia Lee, Costume Designer Levonne Lindsay, Lighting Designer Thom Weaver, and Sound Designer Michael Keley create a set of historical accents and objects that complement the plot perfectly.
Cleage’s work has appeared on IRT stages three previous times: in 1994, the Midwest premiere of Flyin’ West; in 2003, IRT produced her Blues for an Alabama Sky; and in 2015, What I Learned in Paris. Flyin’ West is part of IRT’s Inclusion Series: Celebrating Diverse Storytelling. The runtime approximately two hours and 20 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.
Flyin’ West contains profanity, racial and ethnic slurs, and frank discussions about slavery and murder. There are depictions of domestic violence, gun usage, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Recommended for patrons in ninth grade and above. Flyin’ West runs now through Feb. 4 on OneAmerica Mainstage. For tickets and more information, call the IRT Box Office at (317) 635-5252.
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