Last weekend my fiance and I went to see our friend Jessica Chance in the starring role of The Emancipation of Mandy & Miz Ellie at the Boston Center for the Arts Plaza Theatre.    It’s a play that  illuminates the story of two women whose lives become inextricably intertwined with a single purchase.   An examination of life surrounding the Emancipation Proclamation,  told through dialogue,  live percussion, rhythmic movement and the songs of freedom.  We were struck by Jessica Chance’s performance.  With a wide range of emotion as well as a subtlety of expression, Jessica was like a pilot flying the audience away to another time and place.  The characters were strong and believable.  The story was heartfelt and gut wrenching at times.   Although, there were a few things I would have liked to have seen done differently.

I found some of the scenes to be too quickly paced.  This didn’t allow for enough emotion to develop within each scene.  The dancers were good, and at times added to the scene with lucidity.  At other times, the choreography seemed to be less articulate.

The percussion and music was pounding, strong and effective.  The songs were also well delivered, they moved through me and left a feeling of connection and empathy for the characters as well as all of those who had struggled through Emancipation.

Overall, the play was great and I would recommend it to you!  Again, the show is playing in the Boston Center for the Arts Plaza Theatre in the South End from now until May 22nd, 2010.  For more information or to get tickets, visit Company One’s website here.