REVIEW: The Amen Corner

Welcome to Church - Theatre Church, that is.

Anyone who knows anything about Cincinnati theatre knows that Torie Wiggins is virtually unmatched in talent and stage presence. And I think anyone who has seen “ranney,” the visiting actor who’s dazzled us in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “Fences,” “Sweat” at ETC, and as a sensationally funny gravedigger in “Hamlet,” knows that he’s a tour de force. The chemistry these two have on stage is palpable, and tonight, while watching “The Amen Corner,” I think I have figured out why.

First, the show is the story of a church pastor (Wiggins) struggling to keep her small flock in line as rebellion is rising. Led by a few of her - at one time -most loyal congregation (played by Burgess Byrd, Kenneth Early, and Kyndra Dyanne Jefferies), this disruption in church business is weighing on both the pastor and her sister (Keisha L. Kemper in her best role to date).

The attempted coup is just one of the issues Sister Margaret faces. Her son (Adrian Devaughn Summers) is pulling away, her estranged husband (“ranney”) has re-entered her life - and appears to be at the end of his. These crises cause our lead character to examine her faith, relationships, and choices.

Light comedy, it is not.

However, director Candice Handy allows the show to breathe, finding levity where she can and injecting a ton of gospel culture into the three-hour play. (There are two intermissions.) Yemi Oyediran’s music direction is a feast for the ears - especially the vocal harmony showcase that occurs late in the show.

The scenic design by Samantha Reno is inspired, while the lighting design by Jessica Drayton focuses our attention where it needs to be and matches the piece's tone brilliantly. Kendra Johnson’s period costumes are on point, and Kevin Semancik’s sound ensures that we hear everything we need to with outstanding balance and subtlety.

Other standouts in the cast include A.J. Baldwin, Geoffrey Warren Barnes II, Beasley, Warren Jackson, Aleah Vassell, and a heartfelt performance by Jasimine Bouldin, whose few moments on stage are some of the best of the show.

So, what makes Wiggins and “ranney” so good?

Honesty.

“ranney” crackles with authenticity. The moment he sets foot on stage, we feel the electricity and the realness. His grasp of the character is exemplified by how the lines just fall out of his mouth - there is meaning in everything he says, and he’s intentional about how he says it.

Wiggins is equally grounded. Some of her speeches are grandiose, some of them gutwrenching - but all of them feel genuine. Her dialect is spot on as she preaches and pleads, but so is her body language. The way she walks on stage, the way she melts into tears - the shift from powerful to broken . . it’s all visceral and full of integrity.

They are believable - and together, their scenes pop. The best moments are theirs, not necessarily because the script gives them that. Their performances are acting masterclasses, even when the dense text is overwhelming. I was in the front row, within an arm’s reach of them at times - and I was frozen in my seat just watching them act.

There are a lot of reasons to see “THE AMEN CORNER” by James Baldwin at Cincy Shakes - but if for no other reason, go watch these two raise the roof. Praise God!

Amen.

THE AMEN CORNER plays at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company through February 11th. Tickets and more can be found here.