The Story
at Duke Ellington School of the Arts

Reviewed on March 25, 2016

Eni Oyeleye
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - DC

Tracey Scott Wilson's The Story tells more stories than its name implies. It is a story of the relentless pursuit of success and journalistic ethics. It is a story of race relations in the early 21st century. It is a story of the psychological baggage of a conflicted protagonist. It is a story of misconception and deception. Duke Ellington School of the Arts told each of these stories with nuance and aplomb in its superb production of The Story.

The Story premiered in 2003 at The Public Theater, an off-Broadway company known for exhibiting the works of up-and-coming playwrights. It is not often produced by community, college, or high school theatres, rendering it a relatively unknown, yet brilliant gem. The play follows a young, African American reporter who follows a lead on a crime story that involves an upper-class white victim and an unknown black perpetrator. The show's second act unravels just how far the reporter is willing to go to rise to the top of the journalistic world and protect her illusions of fame and success.

The cast handled the adult-oriented piece with considerable maturity. Never did a cast member seem apprehensive about tackling the complexities of the play's weighty issues. Additionally, the production benefited from its all-around precision. Every line was timed perfectly, every piece of blocking innovatively placed, and every tech cue executed like clockwork.

Saran Bakari gave a powerhouse performance as the inscrutable Yvonne. In the first act, her role called for confidence, ambition, and a disarmingly charming wit that had even the most unflappable of audience members in stitches. Bakari had these qualities in spades, quickly drawing the audience to her corner. However, in the second act, it is revealed that much of Yvonne's actions and words are fictitious, including the story she has been pursuing. Bakari's portrayal of Yvonne's shocking breakdown was nothing short of harrowing. The confidence and charm that won over the audience in the first act then seemed like facades used to hide a troubled soul. Bakari navigated the nuances of her character with incredible deftness.

Sam Sherman, Jalen Coleman and Madison Chambers rounded out the show's principal cast as Jeff, Neil, and Pat respectively. Sherman was outstanding as Yvonne's white boyfriend Jeff. Charming and lovable in the first act, Sherman truly soared in his second act confrontation with Yvonne. Coleman was wonderful as fellow reporter Neil. He delivered some of the funniest lines of the show with subtlety, while still remaining a somber presence when called for. Chambers too was excellent as the hardened senior reporter, Pat. Skeptical of Yvonne's post-racial bourgeois attitude, Pat's resistance to Yvonne, which seemed stubborn in the first act, seemed measured and responsible in the second.

The show demands well timed and well executed sound and light cues, and the operators in the tech booth did not disappoint. Phone rings were cut off at the proper time and spotlight movement was perfectly matched with the actors.

The themes of The Story are simultaneously universal and specific. Most of us have not carried out a series of deceptions as convoluted and disturbing as Yvonne's, but we'd be fooling ourselves if we didn't admit to sometimes succumbing to the vices that caused Yvonne's downfall. What made Duke Ellington School of the Art's production so powerful was that it reminded us that not only are we often not what we seem to others, many times we are not what we seem to ourselves.

Amanda Hampton
Riverside High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - DC

The Duke Ellington School of the Arts' production of Tracey Scott Wilson's "The Story" is a stunning, masterful insight into ethical and racial implications within the world of journalism. Originally performed at the Public Theatre in New York City and based on the 1980s Janet Cook scandal (a gifted African American reporter fabricated an entire piece, for which she then went on to win a Pulitzer) "The Story" weaves an intricate web of deception and questions unanswered. It opens on a tragic note, with a young, white couple driving through a sketchy part of town. They're lost, scared, then suddenly a gunshot rings out, and the husband is dead in the driver's seat. The wife states that he was killed by a black man, and the city goes berserk. In the midst of the drama, Yvonne, a smart-as-a-whip Harvard graduate, is hired as a reporter in the "Outlook" section of the daily newspaper, designed to put a positive spin on stories regarding the black community. Determined to get a hold of the story that will propel her to the Metro section, it seems that Yvonne will go to any lengths to prove herself.

The cast as a whole consistently gave powerful, passionate performances. Saran Bakari as Yvonne, the reporter of questionable intent who sparks a controversy, portrayed the complexities of her character beautifully. With just the right mix of spunk, grit, and quiet vulnerability, she pulled off the demanding role with finesse. Opposite her was her equally talented on-stage lover/mentor, Jeff (Sam Sherman), who delivered an authentic, stirring performance, showing all the intricacies of a man whose beliefs are called into question. Madison Chambers as Pat and Jalen Coleman as Neil brought the shrewdness of hardened reporters into the mix. With a sage wisdom about her, Chambers eloquently played the seasoned veteran who had seen it all, and Coleman was both suave and savvy as the ambitious anti-hero.

Also more than worthy of note was Azariah Barker as Latisha, a cultured Philadelphia girl who speaks fluent Italian and German yet also spends her free time holding up gas stations as part of a girl gang. Barker manages to be the tough gang member and the scared little girl all at once, giving a potent subtlety to one of the show's biggest mysteries. The ensemble showed just as much spirit and artistry as the leads of the show, adding another dimension to the production with ease in the vibrant, laugh-out-loud moments as well as the more intense ones.

The backstage elements of the show seemed to be as flawless as the onstage performance. The crew did an outstanding job of keeping things running smoothly, and the minimalistic set lent itself beautifully to the overall feel of the show, keeping the focus on the acting. The lighting and sound was in a class all of its own, with all cues perfectly timed and adding another enjoyable element to an already remarkable piece.

The Duke Ellington School of the Arts' gave an arresting, evocative performance of "The Story," leaving the audience with burning questions that they will be mulling over for weeks to come.

Lydia Gompper
George Mason High School
Submitted for publication to Georgetowner

Do journalists sincerely seek to unearth the truth? Or simply to feel the satisfaction of seeing their names in print? These questions were put at the forefront in The Duke Ellington School's production of "The Story," giving the audience a deeply emotional, intimate look into the life of a reporter who sacrifices her journalistic ethics for the sake of her own professional ambition.

"The Story," a play by the American writer Tracey Scott Wilson, was first performed off-Broadway in 2003. Like much of Wilson's work, the show deals heavily with the African-American experience, depicting a black reporter, Yvonne, as she attempts to kickstart her career by getting the scoop on the alleged murder of a white man by a gang of young, inner-city girls. Exploring themes of journalistic integrity, social mobility, and what it means to be a member of the black community, the play follows Yvonne as she sees how far she is willing to go, and how much she is willing to lie, to find the success she feels is meant for her.

The students of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts have created a truly breathtaking, remarkable production, reaching a level of maturity rarely seen in performers of such a young age. Every member of the cast, from the fantastic ensemble to the principal performers, carried the show's adult content with the skill and finesse of professionals. The actors maintained an intensity of energy and pacing that swelled and calmed with perfect timing, keeping the audience completely captivated as the show moved towards its jaw-dropping conclusion.

Leading actress Saran Bakari was phenomenal in the role of Yvonne, delivering a hard-hitting performance with a strong capacity for emotional depth. Bakari stood out early in the show for her comedic skills, with a hip-rolling physicality and a touch of vulgar sarcasm, but her performance did not falter as the show moved into its more dramatic second half. She beautifully handled her character's ultimate mental breakdown, particularly in her final confrontation with Yvonne's boyfriend and colleague Jeff, played by Sam Sherman.

Sherman himself was another of the show's many highlights, especially impressing in the second act as his character transformed from an anxious, supportive boyfriend to a furious man with a cutting tongue. Throughout the show, Sherman maintained a quick reparté and fantastic chemistry with Bakari, making their relationship one of the production's strongest elements. Sherman also faced the challenge of portraying a privileged white man within a predominantly African-American story, with his character Jeff demonstrating both subtle and, later, overt racism. Sherman handled this aspect of his character with grace, delivering a multi-layered, intriguing portrayal.

Other onstage standouts included Madison Chambers as Yvonne's older, more experienced boss Pat and Azariah Barker as Latisha, the remarkably intelligent young girl who claims to be a member of a gang. Despite a lack of age make-up, Chambers held herself in a manner that immediately marked her character's maturity. With her low, calming speaking voice and steadfast realism, Pat served as a wonderful foil to the more volatile, passionate Yvonne. Barker, meanwhile, excelled in her portrayal of the recklessness of youth, with a presence that mixed that of a street-wise teenager with an endearing nervousness.

The Duke Ellington School of the Arts has created a uniquely compelling production of "The Story." With an extraordinarily talented cast and an intensity that left the audience breathless, this show was thought-provoking, artistically stunning, and deeply mesmerizing.

Hailey Brunson
Rock Ridge High School
Submitted for publication to Current

There is a certain honor that comes with success; a pride. However, if your integrity is lost in the process and lines are crossed, do you deserve to be proud? This question, that can stand the test of time, was asked and well answered in the moving performance of "The Story", written by Tracy Scott Wilson, at Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

Written in 2003, "The Story" confronts issues that have been relevant since the 50s and still live on today. Tracy Scott Wilson is known for writing plays that discuss prominent moral injustices. "The Story" questions racial prejudice, trust, and moral integrity; and serves as a cautionary lesson to any person trying to run away from themselves to get ahead.

Duke Ellington's performance of "The Story" was powerful and opened to doors to an honest discussion about the choices and prejudice in all of our lives. Yvonne (Saran Bakari) was a young writer hoping gain success by being a reporter, not a "black reporter". Her humor was well placed and genuine, and her internal struggle, to not be defined by her race and background, was honest and full of dimension. The entire company delivered an impassioned performance, especially Yvonne and her supporting actors Jeff (Sam Sherman), Neil (Jalen Coleman), and Pat (Madison Chambers). Pat, in contrast to Yvonne, held a burdensome role of playing an older black woman who had to fight to be seen and respected. Madison Chambers exemplified the physicality and tone of a woman who has walked a difficult path. Her commitment to character was seen throughout the show. Lastly, Jeff (Sam Sherman), the white "Trust Fund Baby" who felt the need to be ashamed of his interracial relationship, was the most three dimensional character. His arc was a telling journey and his presence commanded attention and answered a relevant question; through Sam Sherman's portrayal everyone learned that even love cannot always rise above racism.

The ensemble brought to life the people and attitude of the city streets. The women had sass and attitude but an underlying strength, and the men walked with a swagger but carried an underlying fear. The ensemble physically and fully portrayed their characters, however, the actress who was only in a few scenes, but captured attention, was Latisha (Azariah Baker), the tri-lingual gang member who was a mirror that reflected Yvonne's inner struggle. Azariah Baker acted as if she were standing on the most dangerous corner in the city. She was nervous, yet unafraid; intimidating, but intimidated. She was a scared young girl looking for help. There was not an instant she broke character, physically or emotionally. That can be said for nearly the entire company, and their commitment to character brought the story to life.

Technically the show matched the caliber of the performance. The use of sound, lighting and projection helped create the environments of a news room, office, city street, and police station. The costumes, set, and props, were timeless, as if the story could fit in any era, demonstrating the relevance of this story through time.

"The Story" performed by Duke Ellington School of the Arts, was a moving portrayal of the struggles that live in each and every person. The honesty of the characters displayed on stage spoke to the truth within the story.