The Brother/Sister Plays
In the Red and Brown Water
The Brothers Size
Marcus; Or the Secret of Sweet

By
Tarell Alvin McCraney

At
Steppenwolf Theatre
(Steppenwolf Theatre Website)

1650 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, Illinois 60614
312.335.1650

January 21 to May 23, 2010

Martha Lavey: Artistic Director
David Hawkanson: Executive Director

Director: Tina Landau
Set and Costume Design: James Schuette
Lighting Design: Scott Zielinski
Sound Design: Rob Milburn, Michael Bodeen
Musical Supervisor: Zane Mark
Fight Choreographer: David Blixt
Stage Manager: Deb Styer
Assistant Stage Manager: Rose Marie Packer
Communications Director: David Rosenberg

Featuring:
Alana Arenas, Phillip James Brannon, Rodrick Covington,
Glenn David, K. Todd Freeman, Ora Jones, Jeff Parker,
Tamberla Perry, Jacqueline Williams

Susan Weinrebe
January 30, 2010

Welcome to the neighborhood of San Pere, Louisiana where the folks are bonded by birth and proximity, as much as by their desires and the mysticism of their dreams.

Each of the three plays performed in repertory, In the Red and Brown Water first, and The Brothers Size and Marcus; Or the Secret of Sweet which followed in a marathon viewing, can stand alone, but for the full flavor of the connections between the intertwined characters, it’s best the see them all in the order above.

Nine characters with names hearkening back to Yoruban culture raise a joyful noise, singing, humming, dancing as they wend their way down the aisles to a mostly bare stage. During the course of the three plays, the simplicity of the set is forgotten as the largeness of Oya, Ogun, Elegba, Oshoosi, Aunt Elegua and the others woo us into their lives.

In writing this trilogy, Tarell Alvin McCraney, a vast young talent, has his actors break the wall between themselves and the audience, by speaking their directions before they act them. “Oya smiles. Oya sees it. How could she not?” We are drawn into the character, momentarily becoming that person. And what is particularly moving is how, even though these black inhabitants of Southern projects may be worlds away from our own experience, as they reveal their culture and hearts to us, those differences evaporate.

Each actor is a standout in his/her various roles, but especially, the completely radiant Alana Arenas as Oya the young girl whose dreams evaporate as life passes by, and K. Todd Freeman as Ogun Size, who gives all but his heart’s blood as the elder brother. So what happens? Everything. There’s love, laughter, lechery, hope, despair, fear, joy, fun, mourning, and resurrection in this savory jambalaya of tales.

As is this theater’s custom to offer a little lagniappe after a performance, the audience is invited to remain for questions and discussion in a comfortable forum with cast or staff, in this case with Martha Lavey, Artistic Director of Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

Alana Arenas,
and the cast of Steppenwolf’s
"The Brother/Sister Plays"
Courtesy of Michael Brosilow

---

Alana Arenas,
and the cast of Steppenwolf’s
"The Brother/Sister Plays"
Courtesy of Michael Brosilow

---

Alana Arenas,
and the cast of Steppenwolf’s
"The Brother/Sister Plays"
Courtesy of Michael Brosilow

---

For more information, contact Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower at zlokower@bestweb.net