Laiona Michelle has acute artistic sense, and her vision is fully realized in Emily Mann’s adaptation of the book by the Delanie sisters, Sarah (Sadie) and Elizabeth (Bessie). Their bestseller became a full length play as these centenarians take us on a journey of American history as it was lived by two remarkable women.
We first meet Sadie (Inga Ballard) and Dr. Bessie (Rosalyn Coleman) as they are just arriving home from being out. The two women have been living together nearly their entire adult lives and Bessie is 101, Sadie 103. Ms. Ballard and Ms. Coleman are seamless. They are singing an opera together – always in tune, harmonizing and augmenting one another in the way that only family may accomplish and it is pure delight.
My sister and I were always sitting silently in the rooms where the adults were telling stories, and for me there was a matrix of complex emotion. The joy of listening to the personal history and world history through eye witnesses, the rollercoaster of upset they endured simply because of who they were. Sadie the diplomat and Bessie the firebrand each telling their stories, often the same one from a different perspective or a bit of delicate prompting from a sister to a sister – all of it sparks joy.
Emily Mann’s expert adaptation, nominated for three Tonys, is brilliantly framed by Shoko Kambara’s set that puts us in the heart of the Delany home – the kitchen and dining room, and the wee sitting room space where the sisters spill the tea on their lives. Ari Fulton’s costuming, Jason Lynch’ lighting design and Karin Graybash soundscape are teamed with Zavier A. L. Taylor’s projections. There were times when the projections were a bit distracting, yet having a glimpse of the sisters’ family made for an even more intimate experience. The rest of the audience fell away for me, as I was rapt by the fiery Dr. Bessie and Sadie’s sea of calm.
Having Our Say the perfect Holiday Gift – we all have enough stuff, why not give a true experience? These performances will last longer than fancy coffee or imported cheese. This show is only playing through December 17. Your tickets are waiting. Visit https://georgestreetplayhouse.org/shows/show/havingoursay/. Live theater makes amazing memories.