Note: Scripps Ranch brings us a wild, crazy show called "WHITE." Sorry, I couldn't make the photos behave, so try to make do with this review.
Leave it to Scripps Ranch Theatre to come up with a piece that drives you crazy, makes you laugh and keeps you enthralled for the entire 90-minute, intermissionless piece.
Tonight it’s James Ijames’ “White,” which starts with a (caucasian) artist named Gus (Joey Landwehr) and a (black) actress named Vanessa (Mysia Anderson, who also plays two other characters) and their helpers/friends named Jane (Noelle Caliguri) and Tanner (Kevin Phantom), then blossoms into a much wider piece with so many characters that I lost track of who or what they are or want to be.
The overall topic here is privilege in the art world: who gets it, who wants it and how they do or don’t work together.
The overall idea is the presentation of diversity and our own individual biases, racial and sexual identities and LGBTQIA identities. Got it?
If it all sounds hopelessly confusing, don’t worry about it. Just sit down, relax and enjoy the crazy show you’re about to see. Cringe now and then if it feels right. I might have called the show “Lost in the Kerfufle,” but though I like that title I must admit that it’s just as possible that nobody (except me) was lost, so take that for what it’s worth.
The cast is terrific, Yolanda Marie Franklin gets a lot of credit for directing this crazy show, and from my perspective a huge amount of credit also goes to Cassandra Crawford for her costume design(s), that seem to change almost on a dime and fascinate with each switch. Ted Leib’s sound designs, John Spafford’s set designs (and construction) and Deanna Trethewy’s lighting designs also deserve credit.
“WHITE” runs through March 9, 2025 at Scripps Ranch Theatre in Scripps Ranch. Shows are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
For tickets, call (858) 395-0573 or buy online at https://scrippsranchtheatre.org/showtckets/
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