The power of theater is an amazing thing—simple words written on a page can come to life and express so much. Pretty Fire is a great example of the power of words, as the play is a one-woman show with no set. The show relies on the ability of a single actress to take the audience on a journey through the life of a young girl.
A solo story
The Actors Collaborative Toledo and Artists Series will produce the show as a benefit for the Ella P. Stewart Academy for Girls. Directed by Barbara Barkan with Dr. Dafina-Lazarus Stewart in the role of Charlayne, this is sure to be an amazing production.
Written by Charlayne Woodard, Pretty Fire depicts the childhood of a young African American girl in the 1950s as an autobiographical play—the stories come from Charlayne’s life. Dr. Stewart not only takes on the role of Charlayne at various ages, but also portrays everyone else in the story. Using simply her voice and body (no costume changes), she must take on other personas, such as Charlayne’s mother and grandmother.
Since Dr. Stewart is the only actress on a bare stage, she has the tough challenge of bringing these stories to life and creating a setting in the mind of the audience. Woodard created a beautifully written stage performance, and the way she describes her childhood makes it easy to picture her past.
With sorrow, joy
The play begins with her birth; Charlayne shares how she was born prematurely and astonishingly survived through the night. The audience is taken on a journey of her childhood struggles, as well as some darker issues of racism and violence. These issues, however, are written through the eyes of a child, creating a sense of innocence.
The story from which the play received its name is, in fact, a story about racism. During one scene, Charlayne and her sister watch the Ku Klux Klan burn a cross and, not realizing what it symbolizes, cry out “pretty fire, pretty fire, pretty fire!” until their grandmother’s fear and anger causes them to stop. Along with sorrow there is joy, and the play contains a great sense of humor with a remarkable take on the bond and strength of family.
The show does contain some adult language and intense themes dealing with sexual and racial violence, and is recommended for adult audiences.
$10. 8pm, Saturday, February 28.
Trinity Episcopal Church, 316 Adams St.
