Quick Hit Theater Review: Milk Like Sugar

Tonya Pinkins and Angela Lewis. Photo: Ari Mintz

Milk Like Sugar
By Kirsten Greenidge
Directed by Rebecca Taichman
A co-production of Playwrights Horizons, The Women's Project and La Jolla Playhouse

Summary:
Three inner-city teenagers cope with their bleak lives by making a pack to get pregnant. They think babies are all cute and cuddly, won't be any trouble, and will provide a source of love. Cell phone-obsessed Margie (Nikiya Mathis) already is pregnant, so Talisha (Cherise Boothe) and Annie (Angela Lewis) need to be quick about joining her so the three will be able to have a baby shower together.

Talisha is dating an older abusive man, but 16-year-old Annie still is a virgin. Margie sets her up with astronomy-loving Malik (J. Mallory-McCree) who hopes college will provide a ticket to a better life and he inspires Annie to wonder whether she might want something more too. Maybe she should start worrying more about school tests than pregnancy tests.

Her mother, Myrna (Tonya Pinkins), is no help. She has her own dreams of being a writer (despite the fact that she's almost illiterate) and is frustrated as she scrapes to provide for her children by cleaning offices at night. Myrna can't even remember to call her daughter on her birthday or provide the family dinner she has requested as the gift to mark her sweet 16.

Annie's burning desires take the shape of a tattoo by artist Antwoine (LeRoy McCain) and are fueled by stories of a normal family life enjoyed by an unpopular classmate, Keera (Adrienne C. Moore), who shares wisdom from her father and her pastor about valuing one's self. Annie begins to wonder whether Keera's mantra to look for 'a more excellent way" might mean she can find an alternative to a cycle of children having children that landed her where she finds herself.

Highlights:
The performances are strong. Greenidge pens realistic, compelling, contemporary characters and gives insight into why the girls would make undesirable choices. Pinkins is particularly gripping as the insensitive, vindictive mother.

Lowlights:
Some of the dialogue, particularly with reference to the play's title, seems contrived. Another title, like "Something from Nothing" might have been more natural.

Information:
Milk Like Sugar runs at Playwrights, Horizons, 416 West 42nd St., NYC through Nov. 27. Tickets:  212-279-4200.

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