The complexity of black American life is often missing when presented in today’s pop culture. Honest attempts to showcase the black journey on film, TV or stage are usually underwhelming or so overdone that the buffoonery leads to an exhibition of black caricatures.
Lydia R. Diamond does an exceptional job of presenting a well-balanced slice of black life in her Broadway play Stick Fly. Produced by Alicia Keys and directed by Kenny Leon, Stick Fly centers around a black elite family and their guests during a weekend at Martha’s Vineyard.
The show opens as the engaged couple, Kent LeVay (Dule Hill) and Taylor (Tracie Thoms), are the first to arrive. Taylor is in awe as Kent gives her a brief tour of his family’s luxurious vacation home.
After Kent leaves the living room, Taylor opens the door for Kent’s brother, Flip LeVay (Mehki Phifer). Taylor and Flip’s awkward exchange is the first sign of dramatic tension that would soon engulf the entire weekend.
They are eventually joined by the studious, wisecracking patriarch, Joe LeVay (Ruben Santiago-Hudson); the 18-year-old Cheryl (Condola Rashad), who takes on the duty as housekeeper after her mother falls ill; and Flip’s “melanin challenged” girlfriend, Kimber (Rosie Benton).
The first moment of edginess occurs during a night of drinking and Scrabble. Taylor, who grew up in a lower-middle class household after her father abandoned her mother for a new family, tells the story of how she had a meltdown in college because of a racial discussion in her class. Kimber challenges Taylor’s assessment and the two go back and forth about their ideas on race and class.
Taylor’s need for acceptance is a continuous struggle.
Likewise, Kent, who decides to become a writer instead of a lawyer, realizes that he will never gain the approval from his unforgiving father who hides a secret that could tear the family apart.
Flip is the only character who appears to be unscathed by his past. Pompous and witty, Flip follows in his father’s footsteps by succeeding as a black man in a white-dominated society.
But Cheryl’s story proves to be the most eye-catching. Her snide comebacks add humor and shows that she has the wherewithal to handle herself in a situation that would be intimidating for most teens that come from her same background. Her belief in herself seems to be her biggest asset.
The term “stick fly” stems from Taylor’s work as an entomologist. She studies house flies by glueing them to a popsicle stick to capture the insects in action. For nearly two hours, “Stick Fly” keeps the audience glued to their seats as they witness how race, class and sex affect one black family in America. –amir shaw
