Pennsylvania Playhouse explores issues of race and class in its intriguing production of “Stick Fly” through Oct. 27 at the playhouse at 390 Illick’s Mill Road, Bethlehem.
Filled with complex characters and strained relationships, “Stick Fly” is raw, emotional and poignant, as ably directed by Torez Mosley.
The story follows two brothers from an upper-class Black family who are bringing their respective girlfriends to the family’s vacation home in Martha's Vineyard to meet their parents and it seems everyone has something to hide.
The most appealing is Marquett Ferrell’s Kent, a writer who has had his first novel accepted by a publisher. Ferrell makes Kent earnest and determined. As soon as he arrives, Kent immediately clashes with his father Joe, played with barely restrained disapproval by Keith Miller.
Miller’s family patriarch is jovial on the surface but underneath selfish and judgmental, especially of his younger son who he chides to get a “real job.” However, Joe also is cagey about his wife’s mysteriously delayed arrival at the family’s home.
Kent’s fiancée Taylor is a highly intelligent entomologist as energetically portrayed by Azelia Dos Santos. Taylor’s father was a prominent historian, but abandoned her family. Although her heritage gave her some advantages, her mother struggled to support her and she harbors a lot of resentment. Santos’ spirited Taylor becomes the focal point of the show when she hotly spars with Kimber, the new girlfriend of Kent’s brother Flip.
It is Taylor’s obsession with bugs from which the plays title comes. Taylor explains that flies move too fast for entomologists to film, so they are glued to Popsicle sticks and drone footage is played so they think they are flying.
As Flip, a successful plastic surgeon, Justin Ferguson is smooth but tense. Ferguson’s Flip is initially evasive until everyone realizes his girlfriend is white.
Misha Holt plays Kimber, a social worker whose ideas and ideals are in the right place, with a self-assured confidence. She is restrained and understanding in contrast to Santos’ explosive Taylor.
The final character is Cheryl, the daughter of the family’s longtime housekeeper who is filling in for her sick mother. As Cheryl, Rageema Davis is briskly efficient but a palpable unease bubbles below the surface. She also is very intelligent and from a lower-income upbringing and she bristles constantly at any perceived suggestion she isn’t as smart as she is. Understandably, she and Taylor are alike enough to clash, and they do.
As these complex and imperfect characters clash over issues of racism, sexism, class privilege, and who gets to be accepted, things reach a boiling point.
The themes in the play are a bit heavy-handed at times, but the talented cast brings a realism to the flawed characters.
Brett Oliveira’s set includes a large house with a conversation pit, attached kitchen and an outside deck that allows the action to flow.
For the Oct. 18 performance, the cast will include Tamara Decker as Kimber, Omar Smith as Joe and Ayomide Ogunleye as Cheryl.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18, 19, 25 and 26; and 3 p.m. Oct. 20 and 27.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $15 for students.
For information, call 610-865-6665, or go to www.paplayhouse.org/.