"Ruined" - Images Theatre Company

On Sunday afternoon, I headed to the Guild Theatre to see "Ruined", by Images Theatre Company. This is the show, as previously mentioned, in which Tyehimba Kokayi would be playing drums.

Synopsis:

RUINED is a powerful, gripping, gut-wrenching play, set in a bar and brothel in a mining town in the rain forest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The sexy, shrewd, proprietor, Mama Nadi both profits and protects the women whose bodies have become battlegrounds for the rebel solidiers and government workers, alike. The women who live and work at Mama's Place, have been brutually raped, ravaged and ruined by the men of the Congo and are caught up in a devastating and spiraling tragedy, yet they continue to fight to hold onto hope and their sanity. The soldiers and Government workers continue to war, and mark their territory as perpetrators as they march in and out of the bar/brothel taking what they want, and leaving more pain and devastation in their aftermath.

For a musical theater sort of person like myself, the synopsis sounded fairly-grim, but I'm happy to report the show is not nearly as depressing as the synopsis sounds. The issues the show deals with are all quite serious, of course, but there is time for music and singing too, and lighthearted banter.

The music starts the show with a bang, with Osayande Kokayi's powerful entrance, followed quickly by Tyehimba's tumbling entrance, and vigorous dance. Richard Jackson is on-stage too, with Lacorey Cunningham assisting with the drumming, and Norman McDaniel on guitar.

Left: Natasha Greer (who plays the tragic Salima).

Left: Ediambolo Lokoto (who plays the pretty Sophie).

Sophie and Salima make a powerful team that begin to part ways, carried away to different fates.

Lisa Lacy as Mama Nadi is powerful and excellent, as is Rob Anthony Gray as Christian. I also liked Dell Grooms as the ominous Commander Osembenga.

(I didn't realize Jannette McCoy was Assistant Stage Manager. I should have said hello!)