“The Niceties”

[rating=5] Have you ever felt so strongly about a subject that you would do anything to “win your point”? Let’s face it. Most of us, when in a debate, or even an argument, feel that we are right and want control of the situation. Think about this and you will probably agree!

Now, let’s take this idea to a college campus, an elite college campus as we become the proverbial “fly on the wall” in a college professor’s office as she and her student, who she is mentoring, are discussing a paper that the student has written. The subject of her thesis is how American History has been written and its many flaws. Directed by Marti Lyons in an in-the-round configuration at Writers Theatre, we are bearing witness to “The Niceties” a play written by Eleanor Burgess that asks many questions.

I would have to say that this one hour and forty-five minute ( there is an intermission) struggle between the two women, the student, Zoe ( a strong performance by Ayanna Bria Bakari), an African-American  who feels that history has not been recorded as it was. The slaves were not included in the battles that were the American Revolution, and in her mind, they have been ignored. How can history ignore those who helped to win the battles? Her professor, Janine ( the always incredible Mary Beth Fisher) is a white American of Polish heritage. She teaches history through the myriad of books that tell the stories of that period.

During their meeting, with Janine in control of the session and the facts flying around the office ( Courtney O’Neill’s set is amazingly accurate), tempers rise and as the first act progresses, we see that Zoe has found a way to overpower her teacher/mentor in order to take the control away. As always, I will now give away what happens, but will tell you that in a very few moments, Janine’s world turns topsy-turvy and it seems Zoe has become the one in control.

The second act takes place three weeks later , in the same office, between the same women and of course, we are hearing the two women try to resolve a situation that has changed the course of both of their lives. ( NOTE: It is hard to describe this without giving away the story-line). Part of what this play is about is personal beliefs. Part of this story is about control. Being in control of a discussion is of great import for Zoe who feels that she must change how her people learn history. How she fights for her cause might be considered disturbing to some, and others might see it as a victory. Other audience members will take Janine’s side. After all, she is using the written facts of history to teach. Evidently no one wrote the facts about the use of slaves during the battles, so it is hard to teach something that remains undocumented.

What we see in this “battle of ideas” is two women, each believing in what they believe struggling with each other over who is right and who is wrong. There will be audience members taking sides, but in reality, I do not feel that this is what Burgess is looking for. I think she wants us to see that we must be open to others and their ideas. Being in control and forcing another to do or see what you see is not the way to go, as well. This is a powerful piece that will open up your eyes to some things that you are probably unaware of and will make you seek out some factual information about the history of our country and the situation involving racism that has not changed as much as the times.

The story is filled with many truths and facts and under Lyons smooth direction, these two ladies bring Burgess’ story to life in a very compelling manner.

The tech aspects of the show are as usual at Writers perfect. Heather Gilbert (lighting), Christopher M.  LaPorte and Andre Pluess ( sound),  Mieka van der Ploeg (costumes) and Rachel Watson ( props). Rachel Flesher handled the fight choreography. NOTE: You may find the ending awkward as neither of the women will truly win their point, but that is part of what makes this play so mind opening about the generation gaps in our world. You also may find yourself looking for more information and I can assure you the ride home will be inspiring.

“The Niceties” will continue in the Nichols Theatre at Writers thru  December 8th with performances as follows:

Tuesdays 7:30 p.m.

Wednesdays  7:30 p.m.  matinees at 3 p.m. on 11/27 and 12/4

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sundays  2 p.m. and 6 p.m. except on 12/8

NO PERFORMANCE on THANKSGIVING 11/28

Open -captioned performance 12/7 at 3 p.m.

Tickets range from $35-$80 and are available at the box office, 325 Tudor Court in Glencoe, by calling 847-242-6000 or online at www.writerstheatre.org

SUNDAYS at 11:30 a.m. the theater will hold a moderated discussion group in the Green Family rehearsal Room- might be an interesting way to spend a Sunday morning.

Free parking on the street and the railroad station on Green Bay Road. By the way, an easy train rise as well.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Niceties”.