Leaves, Tree, Forest
Written by Paul Notice
Directed by Carla Stillwell
at Greenhouse Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln (map)
thru March 3 | tickets: $15-$23 | more info
Check for half-price tickets
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Can’t see the forest or the trees
MPAACT presents
Leaves, Trees, Forest
Review by Clint May
“Hope looms large” is often said but rarely literal. In MPAACT’s world premiere of Leaves, Trees, Forest, the famous Obama poster gets to do just that. Obama’s soulful, thoughtful gaze is directed heavenward—all the better to avoid seeing what’s going on just out of his vision. A range of entirely unsympathetic characters pay little mind to him anyway in a production that, like its central character, has a lofty idea but ditches the hope and goes right for audacity.
It might take an August Wilson type to really write what could honestly be billed as “Post-Obama” piece of theater as Leaves, Trees, Grass does (and even to discover what that means). This is more akin to Aaron Sorkin (detached from reality and overly preachy). Leaves, Trees, Forest exhibits only the most superficial comprehension of people, and as a tale of the corruptive power of politics, it’s not entirely clear why Obama factors into this at all. Is the point that the more things “change,” the more they stay the same? Blackmail and shady going ons corrupting the hopeful are nothing new to productions about politics. Playwright Paul Notice is a young writer and has some talent, but he has a while to go to discover how to let themes and ideas be presented with subtlety. Carla Stillwell’s direction doesn’t help, with blocking that has every character constantly facing the audience for some blunt-force proselytizing. But without a truly moral center in Charles, or a more in-depth analysis of his character, we can’t sympathize with his plight or feel aghast at his betrayal.
Despite narrative pitfalls, the cast is by and large able to show their talents. Morgan makes his professional debut with aplomb, and I wish him a bright future in Chicago theater. Adams, whom I much enjoyed in August Wilson’s Radio Golf at The Raven, continues to be a great stage presence, even when reduced to one-dimensionality.
Maybe I’m wrong, and the first playwright to narratively portray just what this Post-Obama era means won’t be someone established with a long view of history, but instead a Millennial like Mr. Notice. I have a suspicion that, either way, it will come from someone who wasn’t even trying. Like the office of the President, the impact takes a long time to be clear, so Leaves, Tree, Grass may be jumping the gun, trying to deliver something fresh but only giving more of the same. Some would say that this will be the legacy of Obama himself (which would make Leaves, Trees, Forest a kind of meta-commentary). However, what Obama means is bigger than the Presidency, and someday someone will create a work of art that gives a genuine perspective on just what he has meant to America.
We can hope.
Rating: ★★
Leaves, Trees, Forest continues through March 3rd at Greenhouse Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln (map), with performances Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays 3pm. Tickets are $15-$23, and are available by phone (773-404-7336) or online through GreenhouseTheater.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at MPAACT.org. (Running time: 80 minutes, no intermission)
Photos by Shepsu Aahku
artists
cast
David Adams (Roger/Jack), Terry Francois (Nathan/Patrick), Corey Hendrix (Allen), Shayla A. Jarvis (Dana/Katherine/Clare), Trigney Morgan (Charles), Marc A. Rogers (Rep. Clayton)
behind the scenes
Carla Stillwell (Director), Lenora Inez Brown (Dramaturgy), Daryl Charisse (Production Stage Manager), Danjuma Gaskin (Set Design), Casey Diers (Lighting Design), Evelyn Danner (Costume Design), Desta Sound (Sound Design), Sidney Miller (Assistant Director), Shepsu Aakhu (Technical Director, photos), Randy Giles (Sound Operator)
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