Calhoun's 'Black Cypress Bayou': A Review

(l-r) Angela Lewis, Kimberly Scott,
Amber Chardae Robinson and Brandee Evans in
'Black Cypress Bayou'
courtesy photo

By Darlene Donloe 

A lot is happening in a Lodi, Texas bayou, and it turns out, it’s life-changing. 

When the dark comedy, “Black Cypress Bayou” opens, Ladybird Manifold is sitting in the middle of a swampy, lush, foggy bayou waiting for her mother, Vernita, who called and asked her to meet so they could go night fishing. 

While she’s a bit puzzled at the request, she goes. 

Set in the middle of the 2020 pandemic, Ladybird is a strict disciplinarian about COVID protocol, which is why, even with family members, she wants to maintain a distance of six feet, and is armed with more than enough hand sanitizer. 

When her mother shows up, the mood in an already eerie bayou setting - gets even creepier once she reveals what she has in the basket she’s carrying.  

As it turns out, Ladybird is going to catch something – but it certainly isn’t fish. 

Vernita has a lot to say – but she insists LadyBird call her sister RaeMeka before she spills the beans. RaeMeka is more ‘street’ than LadyBird who is a bit conservative.   

When LadyBird suggests they call the police to help with the situation, her mother reminds her that their family does not call the cops. Family is the cure for whatever ailment because no one and Vernita means no one, is coming to their rescue – especially cops. 

“Considering they do most of the killing you must want me laid up dead next to him,” says Vernita. “What I look like calling the death squad to my door? We don’t ever call the police. Not for nothing.” 

Angela Lewis (left) and Brandee Evans in 
"Black Cypress Bayou'
courtesy photo

Thus begins Kristen Adele Calhoun’s latest play, “Black Cypress Bayou,” currently playing through March 17 at the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood. 

This is a delicious play with a lot of twists and turns that will ultimately change the lives of four Black female family members.

The story, a haunting mystery, is full of intrigue, trauma, violence, loyalty, ancestral drama, and a good ‘ol crime thrown in for good measure.  That being said, the show is full of comedy, which makes the tragedy they must confront a bit easier to swallow.

Once Vernita reveals why she called her daughters to the bayou, LadyBird (Brandee Evans) convinces her sister, RaeMeka (Angela Lewis) to meet them at their favorite place to fish. 

Director Tiffany Nichole Greene and playwright Calhoun have done a great job melding the comedy and the drama. 

The show works because of the able cast assembled to bring this story to life.

Veteran Kimberly Scott, who plays Vernita Manifold, makes any production a success. She doesn’t disappoint as a sassy, no-nonsense, shoot-from-the-lip momma enlisting the help of her daughters to quickly rectify a situation that could land them all in jail.

Scott, Evans, Lewis, and Amber Chardae Robinson, who plays the mysterious Taysha Hunter, brilliantly breathe life into the production with their comedic timing and on-point delivery. 

When Taysha (Amber Chardae Robinson) enters, she has a shadowy connection to Vernita.  It turns out Taysha, knows more than she initially let on.  

All of the women have their secrets, which makes for lots of deliciousness.

What’s good about Calhoun’s play is how she keeps the audience on its heels. As soon as you think you’ve got the mystery figured out, she throws a wrench on that theory and leads you down a different path. It elevates the play and gives each character some yummy bit of business to work with.

Complementing the show is the dark and mysterious lighting by Donny Jackson and the swampy, foggy scenic design of Lawrence E. Moten III, who fills the stage with Spanish moss hanging from black cypress trees.

This review is not going to reveal what Vernita has in the basket. For now, know, it’s worth the wait!

‘Black Cypress Bayou’ is a satisfying 90 minutes of theater.

‘Black Cypress Bayou,’ written by Kristen Adele Calhoun, and directed by Tiffany Nichole Greene, stars Amber Chardae Robinson, Brandee Evans, Angela Lewis, and Kimberly Scott. 

The show includes herbal cigarette smoke, strobe lighting effects, and theatrical haze.  

Running time: 80 minutes, no intermission. 

On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O (oh, yeah), E (excellent), ‘Black Cypress Bayou’ gets an E (excellent).

‘Black Cypress Bayou,’ Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024, $30-$129; www.geffenplayhouse.org or 310 208-2028.