Adriana Caraballo, Brittany Nicholson, JaVonda Carter, Roderick Randle (center) Sara Jarrell, (back right bench) Amanda Ortega, Shana Goldman, (front right bench) Cameron Holder, and Sergio Tamayo. (Photo by Olimac Media)
If you are seeking an accessible introduction to a classic, Vinecia Coleman’s play, “Christiana Lysistrata” fits the bill. Indeed, the language is the kind of English that we, in the 21st century, are used to hearing and speaking. In addition, you will find few, if any, references to unfamiliar places, people, or objects. And you will at least chuckle at the humor. It’s not exactly sophisticated wit, but it’s not quite slapstick either, although the humor leans toward low comedy.
“Christiana Lysistrata,” a “somewhat modern twist” on the ancient Greek comedy, “Lysistrata,” is having its world premiere in a production by Miami Lakes’ professional company, Main Street Players (MSP) through Sunday, March 3, in a piece commissioned by the theater company.
The play takes place inside and outside a church in a small, rural village in Western Europe during the High Middle Ages (1000-1300 AD). The performers' accents range from British to Irish, so the exact setting is not clear.
While the production in MSP’s intimate theater space represents a valiant effort, the mounting is unfortunately not on par with the quality we have come to expect from the South Florida professional theater community. But after a long string of hits – and MSP has delivered numerous quality productions since turning professional – they are allowed to have an off day.
Amanda Ortega is Christiana Lysistrata in the play of the same name at Main Street Players. (Photo by Olimac Media)
Most notably and simply put, the performers are never convincing that they are real people existing in real time.
With that said, credit MSP for its willingness to take on such a monumental show, the work based on "Lysistrata" by Aristophanes (446-386 BC), a kind of battle of the sexes, which gave its first performance in roughly 411 BC.
Under Katlin Svadbik’s direction, the cast, which skews young, comprises the following performers: Amanda Ortega as the titular character along with Sara Jarrell, Brittany Nicholson, Shana Goldman, Adriana Caraballo, JaVonda Carter, Sergio Tamayo, and Cameron Holder.
“Lysistrata” is a comic account of the title character’s mission to end the Peloponnesian War between Greek city states. Specifically, the women of the land refuse to have sex with their husbands until the war ends.
With “Christiana Lysistrata,” Coleman gives us a feminist work, yet make no mistake, she doesn't pretend her female characters are saints.
In fact, you may be surprised at how this modern twist on “Lysistrata” ends -- that is, if you can follow the confusing ending.
The treatment of women in the piece makes it seem dated. However, perhaps it serves as a reflection on how far we have come in granting women equal rights and how much work still remains.
Amanda Ortega, JaVonda Carter, Shana Goldman, Brittany Nicholson, Sara Jarrell
From the beginning of “Christiana Lysistrata,” we get the sense that a theocracy is in place – you are either loyal to the church, or it's off with your head. Those in charge tend to be arrogant (where have we heard that before?)
Take the following, for instance:
Leader: Do you believe yourself to be a Christian?
Heretic 1: Oh. Well, yes.
Leader (caught off guard): What? But it said...
Soldier #1: Must be some kind of mistake, sir?
Leader: I don’t make mistakes.
The playwright sides with the women. And uses sarcasm to poke fun at the sexism in place. For instance, it’s hardly a spoiler to reveal that a group of women have the temerity… to gather for prayer and study without men present. Upon hearing this, a large group of people loudly gasp and a man within the group faints.
“These women call themselves Beguines, and they must be snuffed out before they can do any more damage,” a priest opines.
Amanda Ortega, Shana Goldman
Throughout much of the play, the women appear to be a close-knit group, and MSP’s cast of female performers convey a sense of solidarity.
A wide-eyed Ortega, in the title role, has a tentativeness in her portrayal that seems inconsistent with the confident, independent, and forward-thinking woman that is Christina Lysistrata.
While some actors tend to overact there is enough solid comic timing to produce laughs.
The actors perform on Ashely Rivas’s minimal set, which features what resembles distressed tile possibly from the era in which the play is meant to represent. The scenic design is not the strongest; it doesn’t clearly place us in a specific location during a specific time. On the plus side, the scenery doesn’t call attention to itself, and allows the actors plenty of space to perform.
Angie Esposito designed the appealing period costumes. And Amanda Sparhawk’s lighting bathes the stage in realism and nonrealism, depending on what is happening in a given scene.
While “Christiana Lysistrata” takes place during ancient times, it includes modern touches. For instance, characters “high-five” each other at one point and chant like a group of children teasing one of their classmates.
Plays with strong female characters are always welcome, so Coleman’s comic piece should enjoy theatrical life beyond MSP’s world premiere.
Main Street Players’ production of “Christiana Lysistrata” runs through March 3 at the Main Street Playhouse, 6812 Main Street in Miami Lakes. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. For tickets, e-mail info@mainstreetplayers.com or go to www.mainstreetplayers.com
