Last Friday evening, GlobalGrind attended a private reception, fundraiser and Off Broadway performance of Seed, a new production by playwright Radha Blank and directed by Niegel Smith at the National Black Theatre in Harlem.
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The reception and fundraiser was held at The Red Rooster, the Marcus Samuelson eatery on Lenox between 125th & 126th Street in Harlem.
Set in a gentrifying Harlem in the mid to late 1990s, Seed, which made its appearance as part of the Annual Hip Hop Theatre Festival, tells the story of an intergenerational friendship between two African Americans of distinct gender and age: childless and retiring social worker Anne Colleen Simpson and intelligent Chee-Chee, a kid who is torn between fitting in and his love of knowledge.
At about two hours long, via internal dialogue, projections, movable set pieces and rhymes reminiscent of a Greek chorus, audiences will be transported into the lives of these strangers/friends/enemies, particularly Anne as she battles feelings of regret and longing.
The expositions of Chee-Chee’s separated parents, his Duane Reade working mom and his construction worker father who longs to take his son out of the projects, will seem familiar to many.
“Book Of Mormon” Actress & Tony Award Winner Nikki James Is Jerseylicious!
As Anne Colleen Simon, actress Bridgit Antoinette Evans is a marvel to behold; her performance is both credible and palpable. Khadim Diop as Chee-Chee should bring in legions of his peers as his portrayal is sensitive and authentic.
Jocelyn Bioh (Latonya, Chee-Chee’s mom), Jaime Lincoln Smith (Che-Che’s dad, Twan, and Pernell Walker (as Rashawn, a “rescued” child) round out the incredible cast of this interesting play, which asks how far would you go to save a child’s future?
Catch Seed at the National Black Theater in Harlem now!
