From present day all the way back to, well, the beginning of time, adolescents' hormones have started running wild the moment puberty rears its horny head. InFusion Theatre Company's latest work, "Creole," set on a plantation in pre-Civil War Virginia, focuses on the life of Cora (Shadana Patterson), a young, headstrong slave who yearns for freedom but finds herself trapped in a dangerous love triangle. As the play opens, Maisie (Frances Wilkerson), the head cook and older slave on the plantation, crowns Cora a "woman" in the midst of a group dance performance. With her words, "You a woman now, Cora, and that means trouble," the play moves forward full-throttle—but Maisie's words are hardly a foreshadowing of the intense emotional conflict yet to come.
When Dr. Lucius, the plantation owner, invites the slaves to view the lunar eclipse with him and his sister, Julia, he quickly meets Cora. Outspoken and forthright, Cora asks to use his special viewing device to better see the centennial event. What follows is a curious, treacherous love affair between Cora and Dr. Lucius; at the same time, fellow slave Tom fiercely pursues Cora. In the midst of this torrent affair, the infamous Nat Turner massacres take place, heightening the already deep racial tensions and romantic conflicts. The powerful story and carefully calculated dialogue are further complemented by intermittent traditional African dance performances throughout, including some sharp moves by10-year-old Micha Dejon Williams.
Amidst all this conflict, Maisie acts as Cora's only voice of reason. She tries to keep Cora from talking back to the white slave owners, and from having an affair with Dr. Lucius. As a modern-day audience watching this play, it's so difficult—and upsetting—to accept that this was reality just 150 years ago, but each character is pulled off so passionately that the content hits everyone as hard as Dr. Lucius' evil whip.
Reviewed by Centerstage!
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