Broadway has a deep, stunning, haunting play at the Hayes Theater (W. 44th Street). “Appropriate” is a brilliant, moving story by African American playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins—a masterfully crafted production that marks his Broadway debut.
Jacobs-Jenkins tells the story of a white plantation-owning family in Arkansas and the horrors that are uncovered when the plantation is to be sold in 2011. What’s so interesting about this play is that it is not told blatantly through the atrocities that Black people suffered on this plantation; instead, it is told through the conflicting eyes of the three adult children who are part of the generations that followed after the initial cruelty took place.
There is a depth in this story that you have to experience to believe, as the children of the racist white owner discover what their family truly comes from. The audience is taken to the plantation estate of the Lafayette family in southern Arkansas after the death of the patriarch, just as the estate is to be sold off. We watch as his three adult children and their families come to the estate to prepare to organize and sell what’s inside the house. In going through those things, a shameful, horrific past is revealed about the patriarch.
His daughter Toni is the oldest and was her father’s caretaker for years. She loved her father and quickly defends his character—a character whose life has left her with many emotional scars. Toni is there with her son Rhys, with whom she has a fragile relationship.
Franz, the youngest brother, who has been absent from the family for 10 years, comes to the plantation for his own reasons, with his young fiancée River. He resents the fact that he ended up living alone with his father in Arkansas for years , and was a witness to his father’s insanity. What he went through as a child is why he claims he drank and did drugs for so long.
Bo, the middle sibling, has come with his wife Rachel, who is Jewish, and their children, daughter Cassidy and son Ainsley. He hopes to recoup the large sums of money he paid for his father to have a nurse and to maintain the plantation house.
These characters come together in an atmosphere of tension, distrust, and anger and it only gets more complex as prized possessions of the late father are revealed.
You realize before the first act is over that Ray, the patriarch, had a dark, disturbing, racist, and antisemitic side to him. It is something that Toni is totally unwilling to accept. However. the antisemitic side is something that his daughter-in-law Rachel experienced first-hand, as did her parents, at her and Bo’s wedding. When Toni tries to defend their father, saying he was not antisemitic, Bo also shares a past event that involved Ray.
Disturbing items are found in the house that are keepsakes from a bygone, hateful time.
This production will shock you, make you laugh, leave you stunned, but also give you chills as you get closer to the true history of this family and this plantation. You will be stunned by the greed and audacity of this family, but see that in the end, the spirits of the wronged will triumph.
“Appropriate” will have you riveted from start to finale. Sarah Paulson is acting perfection as Toni. She delivers this character with strength, defiance, and passion, but also with vulnerability. Toni is someone you feel empathy for, as she struggles to defend the character of the father she was exposed to.
Natalie Gold is stupendous as Rachel. She presents that character with such heart and she is the quintessential mother trying to protect her young children from the history of this family. Her delivery will touch your soul.
Corey Stoll is mesmerizing as Bo, a man who has seen the racist and antisemitic sides of his father, but refuses to accept them completely.
Michael Esper is moving as Franz. His character has been through a great deal and comes to the house for not just his financial share, but his healing. Esper shows the desperation that his character feels in a penetrating performance.
Elle Fanning is absolutely charming as River. She is an intelligent young woman who sees life on a spiritual level, and she brings that respect for the spirits to those around her, whether they accept it or not.
Graham Campbell portrays Toni’s son Rhys in an engaging performance as a young man who has been in trouble with the law and has a reluctant relationship with his mother.
Alyssa Emily Marvin is a delight as Cassidy, the little girl who wants to be regarded as an adult, but still has the insecurities of a child. Marvin has a natural presence on stage that is a delight to behold.
Lincoln Cohen is fine as Ainsley, the 8-year-old boy discovering the family secrets in such innocent ways.
The play is set in the summertime when the cicadas are filling the trees with a sound that can be quite disturbing, but lends itself to the eeriness of this intriguing and thought-provoking dramatic work. You will be engrossed by this play—it is captivating and gripping to experience.
“Appropriate” has sterling direction by Lila Neugebauer and is presented by the Second Stage Theater. The production has detailed scenic design by dots, costume design by Dede Ayite, lighting design by Jane Cox, and unbelievable sound design by Will Pickens and Bray Poor.
“Appropriate” is as good as it gets! For more info, visit www.2st.com.
