Eastern Michigan University Theatre opens its next play “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea” on Thursday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. It will run until Sunday, Feb. 18. Tickets can be bought online at EMU Theatre's ticket website and at Legacy Theater’s box office. It is recommended for mature audiences due to strong language and sexual content.
The play is directed by Wallace Bridges. It stars Chandler Graham as Dontrell Jones, III., an 18-year-old African-American boy who has a dream about an ancestor who jumped off a ship in the Transatlantic slave trade. He is determined to find his ancestor in the sea, literally following his dreams. But first, he needs swimming lessons from a lifeguard with baggage, Erika, played by Laney Bass.
He also is dealing with a complicated home life as his parents' marriage has fallen apart and nobody besides Erika supports his dream. His father is played by Jahnavi Rambus, and his mother is played by Myranda Wiggins. The majority of the play is a family drama with elements of comedy and spirituality.
The play also stars Alexandra Beverly as Dontrell’s cousin, Shea; Avani Carter as Dontrell’s sister, Danielle; and Tyrell O’Neal as Dontrell’s friend, Robby. Everyone, besides Graham, also plays the side characters.
The Acting
The actors bring a lot of range to their characters, expressing a variety of emotions smoothly. From emotional monologues to quick jokes, the actors bring their A-game, fully embodying these characters.
Graham’s portrayal of Dontrell is driven by a dream. Keeping captain's logs for his descendants, believing he is destined for greatness. He is optimistic and motivated, but clashes with his friends and family. Graham’s performance is passionate and emotional.
Bass’s performance as the lifeguard brings to life a complicated character. She has secrets and troubles of her own that she is conflicted over. Bass plays her as someone who seems just a moment away from a breakdown.
The rest of Dontrell’s family (including Robby, who isn’t technically related, but is a close friend) offer dynamic performances that shine. Combining angry, sad, thoughtful, and comedic dialogue, they manage to exhibit these emotions fluidly and naturally.
The Set
The play’s set is creative. Relatively minimal, it includes a deck in the background for the entire play that is used for multiple purposes. There are some props, that typically match whatever the in-play object is, but with the exception of a TV in one scene. A large picture frame is used with Carter and O’Neal behind it playing out a vampire soap opera, creating one of the funniest scenes in the play.
Most impressive is a small boat that fits two actors. Said boat moves around on stage with the actors in it. This was done with a remote-controlled mechanism underneath the boat. It was created by technical director Dustin Miller and Communication Media and Theatre Arts faculty member Steven Martin.
Actors in EMU Theatre's “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea” go through dress rehearsal.
The Costumes
For most of the play, the cast wears simple, contemporary clothing that tells us about their characters. One of the best examples of this is Carter’s t-shirt that features Ariel from 2023’s “The Little Mermaid.” This shirt quickly tells us that Carter’s character, Danielle, likes mermaids, which shows that the obsession with the sea is a family one, even if Dontrell is the only person willing to admit it.
The best costumes are in a scene featuring a spiritual element. In this scene, the cast members wear contemporary-traditional Nigerian robes. Their costumes and props reference Orisha’s, who are divine spirits in Yoruba religious tradition. Along with being a thoughtful homage to Yoruba culture and spirituality, the costumes themselves are gorgeous. Director Bridges was inspired to add these references because of his Nigerian ancestry. There are other cultural references as well, such as the Yoruba language being included in parts of the script, recorded by a friend of Bridges’s from Grand Rapids, Mich.
Verdict
“Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea” is a beautiful, modern fable about a boy in search of his family history. Its story is relevant as it discusses a dark part of American history, the Transatlantic slave trade and the people who died by suicide on the way, preferring death over slavery. It is a dynamic, profound play, with family drama, witty comedy, and breathtaking spirituality. It is brought to life vividly with passionate acting and an imaginative set and costumes.
