Theater Review: The Great Khan

           Brian Rivera and Jerome Beck in SD Rep's "The Great Khan"

Racism, sexism, murder, attempted rape and political activism are just some of the topics that come up in Michael Gene Sullivan’s musical “The Great Khan,” now on the boards at San Diego Repertory’s Space Theatre.

The show is the first in a rolling premiere. It will also be produced by San Francisco Playhouse and Redtwist Theatre in Chicago. Locally, this show is also a farewell to artistic director Sam Woodhouse, retiring after 46 years at the helm of the Rep.

It starts with a bit of a shock. The set is a bedroom, where someone is sleeping. There’s a window, which is jimmied open by someone who enters. The entrance wakes the sleeper named Jayden (Jerome Beck), a teenage African American boy, who looks over to see a female African American teenager in black holding a pistol of some sort.

It turns out that this is Ant (Mikayala LaShea Bartholomew), a teenage feminist who is angry at Jayden for saving her from would-be attackers. 

“I don’t need no saving,” she says. “Shut your mouth and don’t tell nobody I was here.”

Not exactly a how-to-win-friends approach, but we get the point.

Jayden lives with his mother Crystal (Brittney M. Caldwell). Both were forced to move after threats from the boys who tried to attack Ant. She’s doing her best to bring her very bright kid up well, and figures the way to do that is to keep him to a schedule. 

She brings in fellow student Gao Ming (Molly Adea), and suggests that they work together on a project. Gao Ming is fascinated by Genghis Khan and his exploits. She is tasked with occasional appearances in which she gives us fascinating tidbits of information about the Khan.

Mr. Adams (Dylan John Seaton), Jayden’s teacher, recognizes his potential, but tries to insist that he play by the rules, stop wasting time on computer games and submit papers on time. “You have to write a paper about someone in history,” he says. 

“White people write history like that was all there was,” complains Jayden. Adams assigns him to write about Genghis Khan because the other possibilities are all taken.

In the second act, Genghis Khan aka Temujin (Brian Rivera) shows up and we’re off on yet another adventure. Temujin complains that “everything you heard about me was written by my enemies.”

Sound familiar? 

Since 2000, playwright Sullivan has been resident playwright for the “never, ever silent” (his words) San Francisco Mime Troupe, which at least partially explains his wacky (and most welcome) sense of humor. 

But this show doesn’t stop at a great script and excellent acting. “The Great Khan” also offers fine direction by Jess McLeod, a workable and quirky scenic design by Yi-Chien Lee, imaginative costumes by Faith James, and a whole host of technical greatness. Rebecca Jeffords’ lighting, Blake McCarty’s projection design (with consultant Caroline Yao) and Tosin Olufolabi’s unusual and often surprising sound design make excellent contributions.

Oh, and the music? Get ready for some gangsta rap.

“The Great Khan” is political theater at its finest and funniest. Don’t miss it.

   

“The Great Khan” plays through March 27 in San Diego Repertory’s Space at Horton Plaza, downtown.

Showtimes: Wednesday at 7 p.m.; Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m,; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. Ticket prices: $25-$91.

For tickets:  sdrep.org or (619) 544-1000

Proof of vaccination and the wearing of masks are required.