• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • John Waters believes mainstream Hollywood films are finally as shocking as his cult movies
  • Sir Elton John is ‘back home and in good health’ after being rushed to hospital
  • Robin Roberts Wedding—All the ‘I Do’ Details: The Dress, the Guest List, the Snubs and More Revealed

‘Notes From the Field’ Should Be Required Viewing for All Americans: REVIEW

Naveen Kumar November 4, 2016 Leave a Comment

anna deavere smith

It's hard to imagine a more urgent and evocative work of theatre than Notes From the Field, Anna Deavere Smith's latest masterful documentary performance, which opened off-Broadway at Second Stage October 2.

If you've bubbled up thinking about Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, and so many others whose stories made headlines — and countless others whose names and fates we don't hear about — this play will set you ablaze.

An intrepid artist who pioneered her own form of theatre nearly 25 years ago, here Smith enacts a sprawling array of true-life personal narratives to examine America's school-to-prison pipeline. Her kaleidoscopic investigation is composed of transcripts from her interviews with real people whose lives intersect with the system at various angles. (We hear from nearly 20; she conducted more than 250 interviews over the course of creating the project.)

Notes from the Field: Doing Time in Education 2econd Stage Theatre

From the man who captured Freddie Gray's violent arrest on video and the pastor who spoke at Gray's funeral, to the principal at one of the most dangerous schools in the U.S. and activist and congressman John Lewis (D-GA), the stories Smith presents are almost overwhelming in the force of their impact and the light they shine at the root of our country's greatest dilemmas. The cycle of poverty, the failures of our school system, the persistence of racism, the tyranny of the criminal justice system — the list only circles back on itself.

Notes from the Field: Doing Time in Education 2econd Stage TheatreBracing though this vision of the big picture may be, Smith's approach is human in scale; many of her characters and their stories are as inspiring as they are enraging, as heartwarming as they are wrenching. Smith brings to life her subjects' quirks — from certain words they might chew before speaking, to natural moments of humor they bring to conversation — lending just enough lightness to balance the grave subject at hand. These are real people, after all, and isn't that how we all get through life?

Under the seamless direction of Leonard Foglia, the production also makes powerful use of video and projections, used to show both documentary-style evidence and to lend color and context to the events and characters Smith embodies. Composer Marcus Shelby imbues the piece with soul, playing well-deployed accompaniment on a standing bass and acting as a sounding board for Smith in occasional moments of call-and-response.

Notes from the Field: Doing Time in Education 2econd Stage Theatre

With minimal and often inspired costume changes (designed by Anne Hould-Ward), Smith shifts chameleon-like from one interview subject to the next. She doesn't indulge in caricatures or do impressions, but has an unparalleled performance style all her own. In sympathizing with her subjects, Smith becomes a kind of uncanny medium, prioritizing the message over her own function as a vehicle, almost seeming to disappear.

That message is hardly one easily distilled into words, which is why Smith uses so many voices to tell it. If only every American had the opportunity, and capacity, to listen.

Recent theatre features…
‘Falsettos' Revisits Gay History on Broadway: REVIEW
Liev Schreiber and Janet McTeer Smolder in ‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses' on Broadway: REVIEW
‘A Life' Starring David Hyde Pierce Will Shake You to Your Core: REVIEW
Nathan Lane and John Slattery Head Starry Revival of ‘The Front Page' on Broadway: REVIEW
Diane Lane Stars in Muddled Revival of ‘The Cherry Orchard' on Broadway: REVIEW
Mary-Louise Parker Is a Manic Wonder in ‘Heisenberg' on Broadway: REVIEW
Not a Drill: This ‘Golden Girls' Puppet Parody Is Happening Off-Broadway: REVIEW
Irving Berlin's ‘Holiday Inn' Twinkles on Broadway: REVIEW

Follow Naveen Kumar on Twitter: @Mr_NaveenKumar (photos: joan marcus)

Topics: History, Theater, towleroad More Posts About: Entertainment, Naveen Kumar, New York, News, Review

Related Posts
  • Russia Blocks Facebook, Accusing it of Restricting Access to Russian Media;
  • Duran Duran Has New Music And You Are About To Enjoy it. It’s 2021. Seriously.
  • ‘Mayor Pete’ Trailer; Papa Pete Pwns Tucker; 4-Stars for Dr. Rachel Levine; JoJo Siwa’s Perfect 10s; Lynda Carter’s 8 Wonder-full Words: GOOD NEWS
  • Sir Elton John is ‘back home and in good health’ after being rushed to hospital

    Sir Elton John is ‘back home and in good health’ after being rushed to hospital

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John is “back home and in good health” after being rushed to hospital. The 76-year-old pop icon suffered a fall at his French villa on Sunday (27.08.23) evening and …Read More »
  • Robin Roberts Wedding—All the ‘I Do’ Details: The Dress, the Guest List, the Snubs and More Revealed

    Robin Roberts Wedding—All the ‘I Do’ Details: The Dress, the Guest List, the Snubs and More Revealed

    Published by OK Magazine Here's to the newlyweds! On Friday, September 8, Good Morning America star Robin Roberts tied the knot with her girlfriend of 18 years, Amber Laign. The reporter broke the news on her …Read More »
  • Ellen DeGeneres announces TV return after 16-month absence

    Ellen DeGeneres announces TV return after 16-month absence

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Ellen DeGeneres has announced her return to TV. The 65-year-old star's eponymous ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show' came to an end in May 2022 after 19 seasons and she's now revealed her …Read More »
  • Madonna ‘Would Love’ for Britney Spears to Come on Tour With Her After Recent Split From Sam Asghari

    Madonna ‘Would Love’ for Britney Spears to Come on Tour With Her After Recent Split From Sam Asghari

    Published by OK Magazine After Sam Asghari filed for divorce from Britney Spears, it seems like her good pal Madonna is hoping to help her out by bringing her on her Celebrations Tour once it resumes …Read More »
Previous Post: « Don Lemon: Rudy Giuliani Bragged About ‘Surprise’ Two Days Before Comey Letter
Next Post: Robert Sepulveda Jr. Reveals Escort Past, Picks Winner On ‘Finding Prince Charming’ Finale: RECAP »

Primary Sidebar

Most Recent

  • John Waters believes mainstream Hollywood films are finally as shocking as his cult movies

    John Waters believes mainstream Hollywood films are finally as shocking as his cult movies

  • Sir Elton John is ‘back home and in good health’ after being rushed to hospital

    Sir Elton John is ‘back home and in good health’ after being rushed to hospital

  • Robin Roberts Wedding—All the ‘I Do’ Details: The Dress, the Guest List, the Snubs and More Revealed

    Robin Roberts Wedding—All the ‘I Do’ Details: The Dress, the Guest List, the Snubs and More Revealed

  • Ellen DeGeneres announces TV return after 16-month absence

    Ellen DeGeneres announces TV return after 16-month absence

  • Madonna ‘Would Love’ for Britney Spears to Come on Tour With Her After Recent Split From Sam Asghari

    Madonna ‘Would Love’ for Britney Spears to Come on Tour With Her After Recent Split From Sam Asghari

  • Lourdes Leon, Daughter Of Madonna, Shocks With See-Through String Dress At Victoria’s Secret Show

    Lourdes Leon, Daughter Of Madonna, Shocks With See-Through String Dress At Victoria’s Secret Show

  • Mike Pence Confronted by Emotional Mom of Trans Child About Laws to Protect Lgbtq Kids From Violence

    Mike Pence Confronted by Emotional Mom of Trans Child About Laws to Protect Lgbtq Kids From Violence

  • ‘This Was a Brand New Subject’: Donald Trump Grilled by Megyn Kelly About Supporting Trans Caitlyn Jenner in 2016

    ‘This Was a Brand New Subject’: Donald Trump Grilled by Megyn Kelly About Supporting Trans Caitlyn Jenner in 2016

Adjacent News

  • Did the UAE ban the Barbie movie? What about Saudi Arabia?

    Did the UAE ban the Barbie movie? What about Saudi Arabia?

  • From penal camp, dissident Navalny calls on Russians to resist Putin

    From penal camp, dissident Navalny calls on Russians to resist Putin

  • As contentious judicial ‘reform’ becomes law in Israel, Netanyahu cements his political legacy

    As contentious judicial ‘reform’ becomes law in Israel, Netanyahu cements his political legacy

Good Trash: Going to Read It Somewhere, Y'know

  • Beyonce pays tribute to stabbed fan

    Beyonce pays tribute to stabbed fan

  • Dwight Howard’s Assault Accuser Submits Uber Receipt as Evidence in Court Battle With Ex-Lakers Star

    Dwight Howard’s Assault Accuser Submits Uber Receipt as Evidence in Court Battle With Ex-Lakers Star

  • After Bud Light, Ukraine ‘Scandals,’ Garth Brooks Surprises Again

    After Bud Light, Ukraine ‘Scandals,’ Garth Brooks Surprises Again

Partner Links

  • Showtune Sunday: All about Tony Award-winning star Ben Platt on his 30th birthday!
    Happy 30th birthday to the multi-talented star of stage and screen […]
  • The GQP Singers: We Are Cowardly
    Founders Sing has come out with this parody of We Are […]
  • Hilarie Burton, Bethany Joy Lenz & Sophia Bush Celebrate 'Female Friendships' on 'One Tree Hill's 20th Anniversary Amid Strikes
    Hilarie Burton, Bethany Joy Lenz and Sophia Bush did something clever […]
  • Miley Cyrus Goes Back To Dark Brown Hair & Fans Are Freaking Out!
    Miley Cyrus has ditched her duo-toned hair, and has gone back […]
  • Olivia Rodrigo Got The Greatest Love Advice From A Young Fan
    Olivia Rodrigo is opening up about the love advice she received […]

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy
[towleroadmr] [towleroadtn]

Copyright © 2023 · Log in

×
×