Review: ITC’s ‘Broke-ology’ a profound, poignant revival
By Betty Mohr Theater Review/bettybmohr@aol.com February 1, 2012 3:46PM
Illinois Theater Center's production of "Broke-ology" features Marlon Washington (left) and Jonah B. Taylor.
‘BROKE-OLOGY’
◆ Through Feb. 12
◆ Illinois Theatre Center,
371 Artists Walk, Park Forest
◆ Tickets, $20-$22
◆ (708) 481-3510; ilthctr.org
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Updated: March 4, 2012 8:06AM
“Broke-ology” is about a black family trying to stay together and struggling against poverty.
But the play, in a poignant revival at Illinois Theatre Center in Park Forest, could be about any American family.
Written by Nathan Louis Jackson, the emotionally searing drama is set in a lower-class neighborhood in Kansas City, Kansas.
The intimate and memorable work centers on the King family.
Unlike many modern plays, though, this family is not dysfunctional. Instead, the members of the family love each other.
Their problem is they’re stuck by circumstances they can’t control.
The head of the King clan, William, suffers from multiple sclerosis and his wife, Sonia, died of cancer many years before.
William’s eldest son, Ennis, is stuck working in a restaurant at a job he hates.
Ennis has been his father’s caretaker, but now that his girlfriend is about to give birth to their baby, Ennis will not be able to take care of both his father and his new baby.
Enter William’s younger son, Malcolm, who has come home for summer.
He escaped the impoverishment of his surroundings by getting bachelor and master’s degrees at the University of Connecticut.
At the heart of the play is Ennis’ attempt to persuade Malcolm to give up on his dream of returning to Connecticut and, instead, stay home to take care of their father.
The story of a sick, aging parent and the struggle for financial survival makes this play especially relevant in the current harsh economic times.
Indeed, the title of the play, “Broke-ology,” is explained when Ennis describes it as being the study of “being broke and staying alive.”
There are a few glitches in the script, such as a scene in which the two brothers steal a neighbor’s garden gnome. That scene does nothing to further the plot or develop character.
In addition, there’s the unanswered question as to how Malcolm was able to get two university degrees.
Malcolm comes from a house of barred windows and his father never made enough money to get out of the poverty-stricken neighborhood. So how did Malcolm make it to college?
Perhaps explaining how Malcolm escaped his socioeconomic environment would make a good replacement for the scene of gnome robbery.
That said, those are small shortcomings in the powerful play, especially since the production has been done so well by the ITC.
Etel Billig directs with great sensitivity and brings together a strong cast of players.
Jonah B. Taylor, as Ennis, does a fine job of projecting the older brother’s frustration with his dead-end life, as well as delivering some of the play’s funniest moments.
Marlon Washington, as Malcolm, is adept at playing the cool-headed, educated younger brother who has to make the most critical decision of his life.
Vallea E. Woodbury delivers a nice turn as the dear and departed Sonia, who can only be seen by her husband.
Yet, the standout portrayal is that of Razz Jenkins as William, the father who is distraught at becoming a burden to his sons, in despair over his illness and lonely for his wife and the life he has lost.
“Broke-ology” is a deeply affecting play with profound life insights that we can use right now. Kudos to ITC for reviving the show.
Betty Mohr is a local free-lance writer.
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