As a child, thegrownwoman promised her mother that she would never waste a moment of precious time. She had fully absorbed the sacrifices and struggles involved in immigrating from Nigeria and setting up a life in America. To that end, every day she pushes through pain and disappointment, “latching on” to the music she once savored for pleasure as required nourishment to propel her forward towards her only goal: to have a child of her own.
This is the central character of Mfoniso Udofia’s Creation Stories and all the important importants now playing at Lincoln Center. It is a most fitting title as thegrownwoman is contending with varying obstacles to her abilities to create a life, an original written work, or indeed anything that is genuine and distinctly hers. There are positive forces murmuring in her ears — among them her little girl self — but she is too narrowly focused to hear any of them.
photo by Valerie Terranova
Director Tamilla Woodard brings out the lyricism of Udofia’s enchanting script. The radiant Abigail Onwunali, who previous participated in Udofia’s impressive nine play Ufot Family Cycle in Boston, is equally emotionally compelling as thegrownwoman. Her exhaustion palpable from the back of the house, she narrates her own story as a walking meditation, step by painful/joyful step. Savannah Commodore is picture perfect as little girl/the uncome dressed in bright polka dots by costume designer Sarafina Bush who also provides a massive temperamental pile of separates mid-stage. Filling out the cast as a squadron of supporters including an eager-to-please Alexa is a zippy Donnetta Lavinia Grays.
Scenic designer Jason Ardizzone-West has built the ideal container for Udofia’s wild and vivid ideas centering the action along a spiral walkway the captures thegrownwoman’s journey in a single shape. Boxes in many sizes take on the roles of items throughout her home, classroom and doctor’s office. Projections designed by multimedia artist Katherine Freer depict the energetic images within thegrownwoman’s mind and spirit as well as those of the city surrounding her, often with the look of crumpled paper as a background.
For a short play with a small cast, Creation Stories and all the important importants is filled with Big, Bold and Boisterous ideas that serve as precious reminders. Performances continue through November 1 at LCT3 at the Claire Tow Theater in Lincoln Center, 150 West 65th Street. All seats are $35, very comfortable, and available on Telecharge. Running time is 90 minutes without intermission. The space includes a pleasant Green Rooftop Lounge. The performance I attended was frequently interrupted by late arrivals — some more than halfway through the show — making me wish that easy to access seats had been set aside in order to minimize the disruptions.
