Off-Broadway Theater Review: Mlima's Tale -- TOP PICK

 

Sahr Ngaujaht. Photo: Joan Marcus

Mlima's Tale
By Lynn Nottage
Directed by Jo Bonney
The Public Theater
Extended through June 3

By Lauren Yarger

Pulitzer-Prize winner Lynn Nottage (Ruined; Sweat) brings to life an African elephant in the world premiere of Mlima, getting its world premiere at the Public Theater. The production, directed by Jo Bonney, is as visually stunning as the words are poet. 

Mlima (Sahr Ngaujah) is one of the last huge "tuskers" in Kenya (his name means "mountain." He has spent the last years of his life avoiding his wife and children to protect them from poachers who track Mlima for his massive, perfectly symmetrical tusks which will bring bucks on the illegal ivory market. When the poachers finally catch up with Mlima, his spirit follows his tusks as they make their way from the poachers and corrupt government officials to the studio of a sculptor and ultimately, to the home of a wealthy buyer eager to impress visitors to her new apartment with her newly acquired treasure. Mlima's spirit also haunts those who have killed him for greed and marks them with guilt.

Kevin Mambo, Jojo Gonzalez and Ito Aghayere play the various people coming in contact with Mlima and his tusks. Justin Hicks provides music and original composition which, alsong with Sound design by Darron L. West, help set the mood. Riccardo Hernandez's exquisite set design dramatically takes the tale from the plains of Africa to a New York penthouse with simple sliding panels and lighting by Lap Chi Chu.

Nottage, who based the play on an article, "The Ivory Highway" by Damon Tabor, gives Mlima a dynamic voice and lets us see the horrors of the ivory trade without being preachy. She expertly does it all in 80 minutes without an intermission. . Ngaujah skillfully creates a character who is a wild, proud African elephant, but also conveys common human emotions about love, freedom and family. Movement Director Chris Walker and Fight director Thomas Schall help Ngaujah express Mlima in choreography and ballet-like fluidity that allow us to envision a massive elephant on stage. It is truly a remarkable piece of theater.

Mlima's Tale has been extended at the Public Theatre, 425 Lafayette St., NYC through June 3. Perfromances are Tuesday through  Friday at 8 pm; Saturday and Sunday at 2 and 8 pm. Tickets start at $85: www.publictheater.org

Additional credits:

Hair and makeup design by Cookie Jordan.

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