October 29–November 25
Written by Eisa Davis
Directed by TaRon Patton
Produced by Congo Square Theatre
in cooperation with Pegasus Players
At Leo Lerner Theater, Beacon Street, Chicago
Heartwarming journey of self-discovery wonderfully stage
“One day … I’m ‘n a say what I know. We can take our hate and let it open us so wide we can love anybody.”-Vera from Bulrusher
Set in Northern California in 1955 in Boonville near the Navarro River, Bulrusher unfolds as a quaint tale of self-discovery and self-identity. With a river oriented set (designed by Andrei Onegin), Eisa Davis blends the motif of the river as sanctuary with the isolation of rural folks. Playwright Davis uses the strange jargon called “Boontling” – the idiosyncratic lingo of Boonville’s long-isolated Anderson Valley folks that includes substituting labels for names. Thus Logger, Boy and Madame, Schoolch and Bulrusher refer to local folks. The first four are obvious and “bulrusher’ means foundling or illegitimate child. Once my ear tuned-in, I began to appreciate the rural lingo.