“The Refuge Plays” is a powerful play that delves into the lives of three generations of a Black family who find solace in the depths of the woods. The play takes the approach of telling the story backwards as the latest generation takes center in the first act.
The family is led by matriarch Early (Nicole Ari Parker) who’s story is the basis of the play. Early is living with her daughter-in-law Gail (Jessica Frances Dukes), Gail’s daughter Joy (Ngozi Anyanwu), and Joy’s son Ha-Ha (JJ Wynder-Wilkins). The family all live in a cabin built by Early’s late husband Eddie (Daniel J. Watts). The cabin is small in size, but holds a great history to it.
The cast includes Nicole Ari Parker, Jessica Frances Dukes, Ngozi Anyanwu, Jon Michael Hill, Jerome Preston Bates, Mallori Taylor Johnson, Lizan Mitchell, Daniel J. Watts, Lance Coadie Williams, and JJ Wynderas.
The synopsis of “The Refuge Plays” isn’t striking on the surface, but as the story paces through things take a turn. The cabin and woods are haunted by deceased family members who often aid the characters, reveal certain secrets, and foreshadow events. The major event we see in Act I is the death of Gail which is foreshadowed by her late-husband Walking Man (Jon Michael Hill) who appears in ghost form one night.
Produced by Roundabout Theatre Company in association with New York Theatre Workshop, the play was written by Nathan Alan Davis and directed by Patricia McGregor. Davis does a fantastic job of thoroughly examining the roles that each member of the family plays. Some characters are only on stage for one act or a few minutes, and yet we learn a great deal about them. Davis additionally pens a story with a noteworthy comedic tone. The performers deserve praise for their skills, but Davis is equally as responsible for carrying the dialogue. The family often bickers and certain lines are super witty to the extent that it feels reflective of one’s own family.
For a production of this caliber, the cast is rather enormous. However, the production was not hindered by the large cast, in fact, it helped the audience comprehend the dynamics of the entire family. The actors are excellent at playing off one another. They made room for other performances by making space where it was needed metaphorically. It was simpler to follow each actor as a result. When it comes to the most engaging performance among the entire show however, look now further than Nicole Ari Parker. She is on stage for every act and excels in each. She’s able to translate Early’s feelings from each generation and carry them. It’s an amazing feat to see as the play is told backwards. McGregor deserves praise as well for her ability to balance the cast’s chemistry where needed. A well rounded performance by an entire cast is the result of having a great director leading.
Walking Man (Jon Michael Hill) and Gail (Jessica Frances Dukes) Photo by Joan Marcus
The matriarch of the family, Early, is a symbol of strength and perseverance. She imparts a heavy amount of wisdom to her children and grandchildren from the beginning and we come to understand why she does by act three. Her resilience is what keeps her family alive. The setting of the woods serves as a metaphorical space of freedom for the family. In the midst of a world that often devalues their lives, the woods become a place where they can be themselves, away from the eyes of a society that seeks to marginalize them. It was refreshing to see the use of fantasy in the production. Black folktales are renowned for their perspective on spirits. In fact, it’s often seen in many cultures that those who lived before you are the ones that guide you today and that can highly be said for “The Refuge Plays” as the spirits provide not only guidance, but provide a layer of security too. We learn through “The Refuge Plays” that solace is not just found in a place, but with people.
“The Refuge Plays” is a thought-provoking production that explores resilience, identity, and the enduring power of family bonds. Through its powerful storytelling and themes, it celebrates a family who have survived hardships to create a better life for themselves. This life starts with the actions of their matriarch who never gave up in the face of adversity.
The runtime for The Refuge Plays is 3 hours and 20 minutes. The production is running now at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre until November 12.