aroundthetownchicago.com
“Marie Antoinette and the Magical Negroes” reviewed by Julia W. Rath
★★★★★Great acting and impressive choreography cannot save the play “Marie Antoinette and the Magical Negroes”, written and directed by Terry Guest. A reflection on our current times, this story about violence and mob rule is revolting in more ways than one. It depicts tragedy and death at the hands of those who don’t flinch at the uses of savagery. The advance piece states: “This is a play about rage. Revolt. Revolution. Revenge. It is about what happens with Black people grow tired of sitting down and turning the other cheek. What are we left to do? Do we scream? Pray? Should we be peaceful? Should we riot? Can the tools we have used in the past possibly work for the future or do we need to write a new script?” My answer, “Yes, please write a new script. Something more hopeful than what I just saw at the theatre.” I found this performance often too bloodthirsty and irrational to suit my taste. It appeals to the audience’s baser instincts, where violence for the sake of violence might be considered exciting or entertaining. Yet the current script serves as a template for showing us how rage, revenge, and thoughtlessness can take hold on a group of people who have previously been subject to brutality, maltreatment, and hate. But is more hate the answer? When emotions are left raw and fury supplants reason, anarchy and fear can win out. Isn’t it more beneficial to work with others to set common goals and establish common values and deal with each other civilly rather than at the point of a gun? Although I do not prefer a story that focuses on dehumanizing others on stage, this show is nevertheless intriguing. It is lively and creative, and there is never a dull moment in it. Above all, it makes us do a double-take about the forces behind the violent acts we see on the streets of America today.