I’m going to be completely honest. I didn’t start going to Broadway shows and plays until very recently. I have watched a few via VHS or DVD but to actually sit in a theatre and watch live acting? That’s never been a part of my ministry. I do however know that for the longest stage plays have been used to depict a way of life, a series of events, or taboo topics generally unseen or rarely (if at all) talked about. Digging deeper, I’ll even stand on the notion that in many ways they’ve been a voice to and for the voiceless. From fear to sadness to happiness and all in between, art on the stage has been able to turn words into moving objects and tell stories we can all relate to, both directly or indirectly, depending on how we watch.
We got a chance to check out “Look Upon our Lowliness” for its opening night at the Harlem School of the Arts Theatre, and writer Harrison David Rivers and Director David Mendizabal effortlessly captured the essence of all those things and more.
Surrounding the untimely death of close friend “Tyler,” (Jared) “Look Upon our Lowliness” hit us with a roller coaster ride of mixed emotions from the very beginning. Set in New York’s neighborhood of Harlem we are quickly whisked away into the world of a group of young gay men of color who on the surface appear to be if nothing else, attempting to cope with the weight of what has happened.
The flow of this piece is worth noting and we get a feel for whom the cast is and what the hell is going on in moments. Almost immediately we are introduced to Kendall (Tommy Coleman) the boyfriend of Martin (Lelund Durond) who both obviously have some miscommunication issues going on. From there we meet Darious (Brandon Gill) a dancer and the assumed narrator of the bunch who manages to pull us in and still leave us in the dark as he recounts his experience of what has transpired.
Next we meet Aubry (Brandon Kyle Goodman) a light hearted, witty, funny, mother figure of the group (who I actually relate to all too well). With Aubry comes his boyfriend, Ozrael or “Oz,” (Michael Satow) a cute painter with a little more than a bucket of paint to hold onto. Oh, and did I mention “Oz” is a white guy? No? Well he is and I for one am glad that a story of colored boys includes the reality of interracial dating. Somewhere along the lines we meet Wyndam (W. Tre Davis), the awkward, off-beat, and spacy friend that everyone loves because he’s just that, lovable. Oh and how could I forget? What would a story about a group of gay friends be without a Dominican cutie with a thing for, what can I say? “Things”. “Julio” (Keith Antone) comes into play as the full on sexually free friend who has no problem sliding into anything. He then introduces “Shy” (Paul Pontrelli) who isn’t a part of the main group of friends but still has a defining role in the unveiling of a few secrets.
The cast came into focus so fast that I couldn’t help but notice that I was not only meeting them but learning that the coping they were doing was really nothing more than a catalyst of revelation to what the friendships of these men have been formed upon. From video blogs to brief nudity and sex to talks of hate crimes and the suspicion over what really happened to Tyler, so much is uncovered and packaged into 90 minutes. I laughed, I teared up a little, and I even became a little upset as I found myself in the shoes of many of these characters. I can’t tell you how pleased I was to see an accurate depiction of how the closeness of friendships can make or break entire situations depending on what knowledge is known or unknown; How a web of lies can tear a group apart OR on the contrary, bring an entire group together. It didn’t hurt that the scenic designer (Paul Tate Depoo III) set the stage up in a manner in which I felt like I was on the stage or in the conversations as well so I felt every emotion, both good and bad.
The performances were heart felt and gave more than enough to create a world that we didn’t want to leave, only left wanting to know more. What happened next? We have to go and see it again just to put together the pieces of our mind that are left hanging on to the hour and a half that had us floating, much like the group of friends fighting for that last moment with their friend Tyler. To the cast and crew of “Look Upon Our Lowliness”, very well done. We look forward to more from The Movement Theatre Company if this is the type of work that they put forth.
The show runs Thursday, Friday, Saturday through April 20th
Get Your Tickets NOW! —–> CLICK HERE
Check out our interview with the playwright Harrison David Rivers HERE
Visit The Movement Theatre Company website to find out more about their projects and see SHOW PHOTOS BELOW!
