**** Family! Each of us belongs to one, yet some are disconnected, either by choice or by circumstance. In Dominique Morisseau’s “Mud Row”, smoothly directed by Malkia Stampley, we have a few stories that connect in relation to sisters of two generations. “Mud Row”,  as we find out from the very onset, is historically a Black neighborhood in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The home they reside in is the only home that their family has lived in over the years and is a major part of the story.

Our story begins with Frances ( Toccara Castleman) and her sister Elsie ( deftly handled by Alexis Janae. Frances is the stronger of the two, and wants to fight for her equal rights, while Elsie prefers to live life without making waves. As we learn about their youth and their present, we also watch as Elsie gets pregnant and has her first child, a daughter, Regine, and decides to marry the baby’s father.From time to time, Morisseau transitions from the past to the present as we meet the adult Regine ( played to perfection by Ayanna Bria Bakari) and her husband, Davin ( Jamaque Thomas), who we learn have inherited the house, now that their mother and aunt are gone.

We also learn that there is another daughter, Toshi ( a powerful character brought to life by Tiffany Renee Johnson), who, along with her boyfriend, Tyriek ( Jabari Khaliq), has been living in the house as squatters for several months. Toshi is the younger sister to Regine, and they have not had any contact for five years. Toshi feels that the house is her safety latch and will allow her to live out her years as a changed woman.

The play examines identity, family obligations, roots and heritage. Both sets of sisters are unlike each other, and yet, they have a bond that is hard to break. Toshi feels that this house is what she needs to change the course of her life, and Regine feels that her little sister only wants the money that it can bring for her drug habit. Toshi claims she has changed and altered her lifestyle, but Regine is not ready to accept ( or believe) that.

Both sets of sisters, as I said, are different, and yet, as the story unfolds, we can see that blood is thicker than water and the home they all lived in may just be the one thing that can bring them to a new look at their lives. While each of the women has their own problems, aspirations, and struggles, it is the house that binds them together and ultimately the house has its way. I won’t tell you more as I never want to give away the ending.

This is a solid cast of players making each character feel as real as one can be. Sydney Lynne’s set is very cool and I loved the lighting (Levi J. Wilkins) and sound /original music (Christopher Kriz). The costumes (Evelyn Danner) and props (Amanda Herrmann) are solid and the violence and intimacy designer/choreography, Jreika Guest was right on! Life is made up of many choices. Sometimes we make the right ones, often, we don’t. Our choices can determine the pattern of our lives and our families.

 

“Mud Row” will continue through  November 15th with performances as follows: