By Darlene Donloe
The premise of ‘Furlough’s Paradise’ is simple – two female cousins, who used to be inseparable when they were younger, reconnect after the funeral of their mother/aunt.
But there is much more to this powerful and poignant exploration of family bonds, trauma, and survival.
The play delves into complex issues such as systemic injustice, family dynamics, and personal identity, leaving audiences unsettled and reflective.
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| DeWanda Wise and Kacie Rogers in 'Furlough's Paradise' |
The play tells the story of two cousins, Mina and Sade, who spend three days together while Sade is on furlough from prison. Mina, an Ivy League graduate, lives a cushy life working at Google on the West Coast.
We never find out why Sade is doing time, but we do know she’s serving a significant amount of time.
Although she’s in prison, Sade hasn’t let the circumstances dash her dreams of becoming an entrepreneur. She also wants to have children with her girlfriend, once they are both out of prison.
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| (l-r) Kacie Rogers and DeWanda Wise |
It’s very apparent that Sade and Mina, who haven’t seen each other since Sade was sent to prison, are leading very separate lives.
As the clock winds down for Sade to return to prison, the cousins do the work of moving forward.
They do so by eating cereal and reminiscing about the good old days when they watched The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Proud Family, and The Cheetah Girls.
The chemistry between DeWanda Wise (Sade) and Kacie Rogers (Mina) is rich and palpable.
Wise shines as Sade, bringing magnetic energy and vulnerability to the role.
Rogers is equally effective, delivering a masterclass in composure as Mina, whose tightly wound exterior gradually cracks.
Rogers and Wise bring depth and nuance to their characters, making their interactions feel raw, honest, and relatable. The conversations the two have can sometimes be hurtful, but they ring authentic. It’s often in your face and no-holds-barred.
It changes directions when it’s revealed that Mina has a white girlfriend named Chelsea.
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| Director Tinashe Kajese-Bolden and writer A.K. Payne |
A lot of Payne and Wise’s brilliance lies in the grounded direction of Director Tinashe Kajese-Bolden, who brings intimacy and authenticity to the production.
The strength of the production lies in its emotional authenticity, thanks to Wise and Rogers’ remarkable performances and A.K. Payne’s nuanced, poetic script that pushes the boundaries. The play won the 2025 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize.
Payne’s language pulses with realism and lyricism, capturing the brutality of the carceral system and the complexities of Black women’s experiences.
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| DeWanda Wise plays Sade in 'Furlough's Paradise |
The play’s themes of freedom, family, and survival are timely and thought-provoking.
The play’s emotional whiplash is both devastating and cathartic, with moments of humor and tenderness that feel earned and authentic.
The show features spoken word and visual effects, including cinematic projections and stylized dance interludes. It’s an interesting interjection. It takes the production to a different level.
Chika Shimizu’s minimalist set design effectively captures the transitional nature of Mina’s apartment.
Cricket S. Myers’s sound design adds to the atmosphere with subtlety.
‘Furlough’s Paradise’ leaves the heart feeling something. For certain, audience members will be in their feelings.
A great evening of theater with outstanding performances.
Don’t miss this one!
‘Furlough’s Paradise,’ written by A.K. Payne and directed by Tinashe Kajese-Bolden, stars Kacie Rogers and Dewanda Wise.
On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O (oh, yeah), and E (excellent), ‘Furlough’s Paradise’ gets an E (excellent).
Running time: 1 hour, 20 minutes (no intermission)
‘Furlough’s Paradise,’ Gil Cates Theater at Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays, through May 18, 2025; $36-$139; 310 208-2028 or online at www.geffenplayhouse.org.
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