One last show before I have some minor surgery and several weeks of recovery. "Long Way Down" is a new hop hop musical at Olney Theatre Center. It's titular metaphor is that life is an elevator going down. It relays the story of Will, his older brother Shawn and their single mother. They life in an inner city somewhere in an apartment building with an elevator. As the story opens we see Will doing a poor job of covering for his brother, Shawn, who's been out all night; while their mother works some job all night. Shawn's a player and in no time he's shot and killed, just like his father so many years before. And his uncle, and his little brothers first girlfriend, and on and on. Feeling like he must avenge his brother, Will finds his brother's gun and plans to go out and kill the young man who shot his brother. As he gets on the elevator with each floor closer to the ground a new ghost of someone who killed by gun violence gets on board to challenge, jibe, mock, and even plead with Will to choose another way. Of course the ghosts include girlfriend, father, uncle, a long-time friend, the boy his brother Shawn shot (unbeknownst to the family) and eventually Shawn.
While the style is hip hop, the music is more than accessible, and the voices are all around strong and emotive. The choreography was inventive, dynamic and a joy to watch these gifted actors dish out. Stand out performances were delivered by Parris Lewis as the ghost Buck--think Kima Greggs (Sonja Sohn) from "The Wire." Victor Musoni as the older brother Shawn and the glue that held the whole show together, Tyrese Shawn Avery as the younger brother Will. Of Avery his vocal range and finesse was reactive with members of the audience unable to contain their appreciation. And his acting was nuanced and consistent creating a sympathetic character whose struggles felt real.
The set of boxy and yet light with a lot of built in lighting that helped convey the mood and the passage from one floor to another. Elevator symbolism was all around. A three member ensemble provided the back up music from a perch one floor up center stage. The proximity enhanced the intimacy of the performances.
Now, I've left one question unanswered: Was it any good? Which is not the same as was it enjoyable, or were the performers amazing. I think I've been clear on those accounts. At the heart of the unanswered question is the weightiness of the subject matter itself, and can there be a more relevant or consequential subject than inner city Black or Black fratricide? In the end, we aren't even told what Will chooses. Which has a great way of fostering post production conversation. And perhaps that is the answer...no one knows. I'm still thinking about it, after all.
Will (Tyrese Shawn Avery) in the opening scene [rehearsal photo]
Shawn (Victor Musoni) and will [rehearsal photo]
Buck (Parris Lewis) and Will
The entire cast from promotional poster
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