Susan Granger’s review of “sandblasted” (Vineyard Theater/Off-Broadway)
Here’s a thought-provoking conundrum: what if – in response to the relentless sexism, racism and oppression they encounter on a daily basis – Black women’s bodies simply start to fall apart – literally?
That’s the idea of Charly Evon Simpson’s neo-absurdist satire now at the Vineyard Theater.
As their surreal story begins, two women – cool and confident Odessa (Marinda Anderson) and anxious, intense yet eager-to-please Angela (Brittany Bellizeare) – strangers at first – are determined to discover why their limbs – along with toes, fingers and ears – are falling off.
Having come to the desert seeking the bright sunlight and fresh air that might ‘slow the process’ of their leprosy-like condition, they’re half-buried in sand dunes.
On their wandering spiritual quest, they’re ‘guided’ by Adah (former anchorwoman/talk-show host Rolonda Watts), an aging, Oprah-like health guru who, seemingly has not been afflicted with whatever disease is oppressing and debilitating other Black women.
In a motivational, self-help message – “Girl, Stop Falling Apart!” – Adah explains how “waiting is suffering.” To which Angela later retorts: “Waiting can be just us, living!
Angela’s search includes finding a ‘fulgurite,’ a fragile glass tube that looks a bit like a tree root; it’s formed when lightning hits sand in a particular way – and often called ‘fossilized lightning.’
There’s one male character – Jamal (Andy Lucien), Angela’s brother. He’s a bartender who flirts with Odessa….and his presence detracts from – rather than enhancing – the basic concept.
Charly Evon Simpson’s self-conscious, philosophical, 18-scene parable – designed with a lower-case ‘s’ – is adroitly cast and directed by Summer L. Williams, who should have trimmed/condensed the non-chronological, often-repetitive narrative, which runs an hour and 40 minutes.
Kudos to set designer Matt Saunders, costumer Montana Levi Blanco and ethereal lighting by Stacey Derosier.
Bottom Line: This is a provocative premise that needs further development.
“sandblasted” plays through March 13 at the Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15th Street).