Review: Jamaica, Farewell (Chopin Theatre)

By Chicagotheaterbeat @chitheaterbeat

  
  
Jamaica, Farewell 

Written and performed by Debra Ehrhardt  
Directed by Joel Zwick
at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division (map)
thru May 27  |  tickets: $35   |  more info
  
Check for half-price tickets 
  
  
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A charming coming-to-America story

     

  

Meadowbrook Entertainment presents

  

Jamaica, Farewell

Review by Katy Walsh 

I’ve only been to Jamaica once.  It was for a wedding.  The beaches were beautiful.  The people were friendly.  The locale was postcard perfect. Jamaica IS an enchanting place to visit.  But getting out of there?!  It was a nightmare, man!  Our Apple vacation was overbooked.  The airport shut down by 9.  We were *put up* in a seedy motel.  When all you want to do is set foot on USA soil, the allure of the tropical paradise becomes a distant memory.  

Meadowbrook Entertainment presents Jamaica, Farewell. Debbie Phillips is a yankee doodle dandy.  Or at least, she grew up wanting to be one.  As a kid, Debbie dreamed of leaving the devastating poverty and tumultuous politics of her Jamaican home.  She wanted the fame and fortune of the American dream.  She wanted to be a U.S. citizen.  So, what’s stopping her?  Both governments, a rental car, a whore house and a man with red eyes and dreadlocks.  Debbie must overcome multiple obstacles to get to Miami. Jamaica, Farewell is the amusing coming-of-age story of a young girl’s coming-to-America journey.  

The thoroughly charming Debra Ehrhardt reminisces about her voyage from Kingston, Jamaica to Miami, USA.  In her engaging one woman story, Ehrhardt mimics her seven year old self, alcoholic father, religious mother and many other colorful characters.  Under the direction of Joel Zwick, an animated Ehrhardt scurries around luggage in her energetic recollection of her passage’s events.  The stage has trunks and suitcases strewn across it. The ever-moving Ehrhardt darts in, around, and on top of them to create the illusion of travel.  Ehrhardt is a delightfully lilted storyteller.  And the audience goes with her on her elaborately described adventure.  

Jamaica, Farewell is an entertaining trip to and from Jamaica.  Book your excursion to Jamaica without leaving Chicago!

  

Rating: ★★★

  

  

Jamaica Farewell continues through May 27th at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division (map), with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 4pm.  Tickets are $35, and are available by phone (800-838-3006) or online at BrownPaperTickets.com(check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information can be found at JamaicaFarewellThePlay.com.  (Running time: 85 minutes, no intermission)

     

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