“The Bluest Eye” Controversial-Not Contentious
Erika Felix (Frieda MacTeer) in pink, Alyssa Peters (Claudia MacTeer) in orange flank Laura Kariuki as Pecola Breedlove Photo courtesy of Bryan Cardinale-Powell
Toni Morrison is a widely acclaimed author whose best-known work is “Beloved,” a favorite of many including Oprah Winfrey. In 1970 her book, “The Bluest Eye” depicted a cry from the heart of a little girl who wished to be accepted into the society of the late 30’s and early 40’s as the United States was trying very hard to avoid war. Pecola wanted blue eyes to make her pretty and popular and loved. Just like Shirley Temple. Just like white girls. Blue eyes. Aryan eyes. A black child in the depression and early war years who had the temerity to be noticed was naughty.
Morrison’s book and the adaptation by Lydia R. Diamond are very controversial pieces because the story has a great deal of violence and abuse. The rampant racism, rape, abusive sexual behavior and bad language is unaccountably depressing and paints a very negative picture of life during the pre-war depression period. The story is gripping taking viewers to the edge of reality.
The production of “The Bluest Eye” by Oklahoma City University handles the tender subject as sensitively as possible through the expert direction of Courtney DiBello. DiBello is a respected Assistant Professor at Oklahoma City University, and her directing and choreographic credits in the OKC area are impressive. She has assembled a large cast of talented students for this show and they all demonstrate a talent that makes the subject bearable!
The set design is rather magnificent as a non-objective surrealistic fantasy at odds with the drab environment it represents. The designer, Carleigh Wagner, a Design and Production junior is a remarkable talent.
Reoni Newsome as Mrs Pauline Breedlove gives husband a serious word as daughter Pecola looks on. Photo Courtesy of Bryan Cardinale-Powell.
While the entire cast is excellent, certain students really shine in their roles. Pecola is the young woman wishing for eyes of blue. Her wish to be pretty is rather ironic as the young woman with the role of Percola Breedlove is believably played by a very beautiful as well as talented actress, Laura Kariuki. Her performance pulls at the heart as she spirals into delusions resulting from her cruel life experiences. Two sisters who are her friends are Frieda and Claudia MacTeer. Claudia narrates and Frieda demonstrates. Alyssa Peters is Claudia and Erika Felix is her sister Frieda. Both of these students are excellent performers as well, exhibiting poise and skill. Mrs. Breedlove is played by Reoni Newsome expertly. This freshman has an excellent presence beyond her years.
“The Bluest Eye” is definitely inappropriate for younger audiences, and may also be a poor choice for sensitive natures of all ages in spite of DiBello’s thoughtful direction. The adult situations come close to over-powering the rest of the show, but, again DiBello and her cast neatly avoid the danger.
Oklahoma City University has long been an example of excellence in performance artistry and “The Bluest Eye” showcases the myriad talents attracted to OKCU’s programs. “The Bluest Eye” is only presented the weekend of February 1, through February 4, and the short run does make it difficult for members of the general public to attend. The next production is Anton Chekhov’s “Three Sisters” showing April 5-8, 2018. For information about any of the excellent OCU productions visit www.okcu.edu/theatre or call 405-208-5227.