Illinois Theatre Center stages ‘Broke-ology’ for Black History Month
By Don Snider January 25, 2012 3:36PM
Illinois Theatre Center's production of "Broke-ology" features Jonah B. Taylor as Ennis.
‘BROKE-OLOGY’
♦ Jan. 27-Feb. 12 with performances at 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays and 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays
♦ Illinois Theatre Center,
371 Artists Walk, Park Forest
♦ Tickets, $22 on Fridays and
Saturdays and $20 at all other times
♦ (708) 481-3510; ilthctr.org
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Updated: February 28, 2012 8:06AM
An online dictionary lists 284 words containing “ology” — from aerobiology (the biology branch that studies organic particles) to zymology (the area of chemistry concerned with fermentation, as in making wine).
But there’s no “brokeology.”
For a definition of “Broke-ology,” you need to see the new play at Illinois Theatre Center in Park Forest. Or you also could read this preview of that play.
The title “Broke-ology” refers to a term one of the characters has made up — “the science of being broke.”
The characters in this play have made a study of trying to make ends meet. But they also struggled to maintain their family relationships.
So, typical of ITC plays honoring Black History Month, this show has universal themes as well.
“Broke-ology” can especially resonate with many families in transition.
The play essentially is about the relationships between an aging parent and his young sons.
They have grown apart not only by distance but also in their dreams.
William King lives in a run-down neighborhood of Kansas City, Kan.
His oldest son, Ennis, is jovial and cocky and works in a local barbecue restaurant and has a pregnant fiancee.
The younger son, Malcolm, is more serious and recently graduated from the University of Connecticut. He is considering moving back East where a good job awaits.
The sons’ problem is what to do about their father, who has multiple sclerosis.
Each son now has his own future to be concerned about. But who will care for the aging parent?
ITC artistic director Etel Billig has assembled a very promising cast.
Playing the father is Razz Jenkins, who has perhaps one of the most varied backgrounds in ITC history.
He grew up in Cleveland and received degrees from Valparaiso, Ind., and Ohio universities.
One of his first acting jobs was at the ITC 28 years ago.
“I remember my first play with the ITC well,” he said. “It was ‘Do Lord Remember Me.’
“After its run we performed it at high schools and elementary schools.”
Jenkins’ acting career landed him small roles on two well-known 1991 Hollywood films — “Backdraft” and “Heaven is a Playground.”
But he gave up his acting career to join the human resources field before making his mark in founding and running Purple Squirrel Search Inc., a boutique firm that recruits candidates for careers in technology, finance, business and manufacturing.
Jenkins also became involved in a number of civic activities including serving on the board of Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.
Meanwhile, his wife taught theater at Oakton Community College, and the acting bug never left him.
“I still have my (acting) equity card,” he said proudly.
Also starring in “Broke-ology” are Jonah B. Taylor, of Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, as Ennis, and Marlon Washington, a Homewood-Flossmoor High School graduate now living in Tinley Park, as Malcolm.
“This is a kitchen-table drama,” Jenkins said, referring to the main set where most of the interaction among the three characters takes place.
While they often are contentious, they also show a remarkable amount of family love.
The family matriarch, Sonia, who had died giving childbirth 26 years ago, appears in the old man’s fantasies.
She is played by Vallea E. Woodbury who starred in the ITC’s “Crumbs from the Table of Joy” two years ago.
Billig pointed out that despite the seriousness of the dramatic situations, there is a considerable amount of comedy in “Broke-ology,” too.
She calls it “dramedy.” That is a word from the online dictionary, however.
Don Snider is a local free-lance writer.
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