Stick Fly
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Cititour.com Review
From the overly long musical intro composed by pop star, (and one of the play's producers) Alicia Keys, to soap opera-like revelations, Lydia R. Diamond's new play, Stick Fly, is a humorous mélange of intelligent conversation, overly complex arguments, race relations, and dysfunctional family dynamics. It's got enough humor to keep the show afloat but there are times it drags and, at just over two hours, it never really reaches a satisfactory climax.
The LeVays are an old moneyed African American family with a summer house on Martha's Vineyard. This particular weekend the two sons bring home their significant others--one black, one white--to introduce them to the family but are faced with unexpected developments.
The fine cast directed with the sure hand of Kenny Leon (The Mountaintop) finds the meat of the script here. Dulé Hill, as Kent, the younger son, makes the most of his time as the son certain to disappoint his over achieving father. Mekhi Phifer, as Harold, the older boy, full of piss and vinegar, manages to expose a tender side. Ruben Santiago-Hudson, as the patriarch, is as emotionally removed from his sons' needs as he is engaged in the success of their individual career choices. Rosie Benton, as Harold’s white girlfriend, hits several emotional nuances. Tracie Thomas, as Kent’s fiancée, seems a bit ill at ease in the role of the soap box for women and African American equality. In her Broadway debut, Condola Rashad, as the daughter of the household maid, shines with her undercurrent of discomfort delicately laced with grace and charm. David Gallo's rich wood set design with the cutaway kitchen is perfection even if the play is not.
Stick Fly will have its fans. But the sitcom-like sound bites along with the slow moving exposition in Act I never balances with some of the more sturdy intellectual discussions built into the heart of the play. The title refers to the practice of studying a fly by sticking it in place with honey thereby preventing it from taking flight. Sadly, Stick Fly, doesn’t fully take flight either.
By Lesley Alexander
Visit the Site
http://www.StickFlyBroadway.com
Cast
Dulé Hill, Mekhi Phifer, Tracie Thoms, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Rosie Benton, Condola Rashad
Open/Close Dates
Opening 12/8/2011
Closing 2/26/2012
Preview Open/ Preview Close Dates
Preview Opening 11/18/2011
Closing Open-ended
Box Office
212-239-6200
Theatre Info
James Earl Jones Theatre
138 West 48th Street
New York, NY 10036
Map
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