It’s a play of “what if?” and “Wow, I didn’t know that” moments.
Mary T. & Lizzy K., a play that elicits more respect than passion, asks “What if we could be a fly on the wall when Mary Todd Lincoln and her dressmaker and confidante, Elizabeth Keckly, were alone together? Did you know that Mrs. Lincoln even had a dressmaker? And that “Lizzie” was a freed slave whose talents were known by Washington’s rich and famous? Or that Lizzie often had to serve as the mentally disturbed First Lady’s therapist/counselor/shoulder to cry on and more? Nope, we didn’t know that. Not many of us, anyway.
Playwright and director Tazewell Thompson pairs the two strong-willed women in a one act play that is both rewarding and frustrating. The behind-the-scenes perspective invites the viewer to put his ear to the door, and Tazewell has invented some wonderful dialogue to hear. With the help of a great cast, he’s able to lay every emotional card on the table. There will be laughter, anger, tears and heart wrenching tales exhumed.
Naomi Jacobson, as the troubled Mary Todd Lincoln, never plays for sympathy, which is admirable. Whether in spite of, or because of her difficulties (Mary spent time in an asylum after her husband’s death, and that’s where she is when the play starts) Ms. Jacobson doesn’t soften those edges. It’s a naturalistic approach that leaves the character at least pitiable, if not likable.
Sameerah Luqmaan-Harris plays Lizzie as stern and no-nonsense, which might just be historically accurate. But with her angled turn from the audience and a mostly straight ahead delivery, cracking the outer shell for a better glimpse of the person inside becomes difficult. She reveals a few horrific details with the nonchalance of one saying what was for dinner. I learned much more about Elizabeth Keckly by reading some press notes and a blog essay than I did by actually watching the play.
Infusing the stage with energy and much needed comic relief is Joy Jones, who plays the role of Ivy, a Jamaican assistant (complete with an eye patch) to Lizzie. Reading the actual script makes one appreciate Ms. Jones’ performance even more—for what may sound like lazy patois to some, is a carefully crafted set of lines by Tazewell, delivered impeccably by Ms. Jones. There is a challenging monologue where the character explains how she got the eye patch. Audience members audibly moaned in sympathy, so taken in were they by the character.
Thomas Adrian-Simpson shows up as Honest Abe himself. Simpson is as reliable as he is busy, always shining with a role on a local stage, it seems. However, his tone seems a bit “big” for this play. Lincoln, as we have learned, liked to tell a joke and loved to get a laugh. Here, the President comes off a bit too jokey, as if he’s playing “Dad” in an 1865 sit-com. This may be purely by Mr. Tazewell’s design, and one is glad that he wrote an especially touching scene where the President and First Lady are on the floor, clutching each other for dear life. It’s a moving moment, and a chance to see, not that we didn’t already know, that Simpson is capable of more nuanced moments on the stage.
For a one act, hour and a half play, things move along at a comfortable pace, and the story is of great interest. One only wishes that we’d gotten to know much more about the remarkable woman behind the women, the Vera Wang of her time…minus the respect, money, and tragic beginnings.
‘Mary T. & Lizzie K.’ continues at Arena Stage through April 28th. The run marks the world premiere of this work. For tickets and more information, please visit: Arena Stage.com
NOTE: Due to popular demand, the world premiere play Mary T. & Lizzy K., written and directed by Tazewell Thompson, will add another six performances to its nearly sold-out run, now extended through May 5, 2013. The additional performances in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle are Thursday, May 2 at 8:00 p.m.; Friday, May 3 at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, May 4 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 5 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m