Reviewed by Jessica Neu

How do you construct your identity, and what or who do you allow to influence such a personal construct?

This is one of two thematic questions poignantly explored with sardonic veracity in New Horizon Theater, Inc.’s production of One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show, running through June 12, 2022, at the Carnegie Library Auditorium.

Directed by Eileen J. Morris, this small yet experienced cast delivers a one-two punch of drama and humor with a script written in the mid-1990s. Still, it proves remarkably relevant in this current moment. A profound level of decorum and professionalism were exuded by each performer, giving the show a professional and polished feel. Yet the production remained deeply personal as each character stepped downstage for their own monologue throughout the show, talking with the audience as if they were their oldest friends. I almost felt as if I was a guest at the Harrison’s home, not an audience member at the theater.

One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show finds Beverly Harrison (Shakirah Stephens) suddenly yet temporarily living with her Aunt Myra (Brenda Marks) and Uncle Avery (Charles E. Timbers, Jr.) after all of her immediate family members have passed away. Her legal guardian, Caleb Johnson (Corey Lankford), believes that he is responsible for a young child. Still, to his surprise, Beverly is a nearly grown woman with unexpected outspokenness and poise. Beverly’s arrival, along with their son’s (Paul Fields) period of self-exploration, leads to some hilarious antics that are chaotic yet hysterical. However, these interactions also prove thought-provoking as the script, by Donald Thomas Evans, leads audiences to consider how we negotiate our personal identity with society and within our own relationships.

While never overtly gratuitous or suggestive so as not to compromise the integrity of the script or actors’ performances, sex is used as the proverbial thematic invisible string to represent the nuances in various relationships. How do couples who have been married for decades approach intimacy vs. the newly in love couple? Also, how do we define intimacy in relationships that involve unrequited love, platonic friendships, a loss of innocence, or even adultery? The relationships in this show certainly guide us to answers to these questions. Still, ultimately, we must reflect on our own lives because what this show does so brilliantly is bring audiences to the intersection of relationships and personal identity.

Each actor delivers raw performances surrounding their own concept of identity, some heartbreaking and some empowering. Do we construct our identity by what we see in a magazine, through the word of the Lord, by our relationship with our partner, or by our own morals or values? And depending on how we construct our identity, are such challenges as love, capitalism, greed, or lust enough to renegotiate or even dismantle our self-identity? At a micro level, each character grapples with how to remain authentic to themselves when facing personal threats to their own identity. But at a macro level, there remains the backdrop of racism and classism of West Philadelphia and America as a whole. This clever juxtaposition of relational threats reminds audiences that amongst every personal struggle, triumph, or especially the accumulation of wealth comes societal norms and expectations rooted in hegemony that constantly leave us asking, “what will the neighbors think?”

I truly loved how each actor approached their role with such an intense vulnerability that allowed audiences to see the real pain and anguish that comes from the classism that naturally arises from capitalism and how, when paired with inner-race racism, can lead a family to a near breaking point. However, any audience member has undoubtedly reached a point of anguish before and will certainly identify with at least one character in the show, who will remind us, despite societal pressure, to rely on communication, self-reflection, family, and never allow anything to stop your show.

For more informaton and tickets visit: https://www.newhorizontheater.org/current-production

Categories: Reviews

Tags: Brenda Marks, Charles E. Timbers Jr., Corey Lankford, Donald Thomas Evans, Ellen. J Morris, New Horizon Theater, Paul Fields, Shakirah Stephens