*If you think your family has issues, then wait until you see The First Deep Breath, written by Lee Edward Colston ll and directed by Steve H. Broadnax lll. Act 1 scene one starts with an intense sermon by Pastor Albert Jones (Herb Newsome) and then strap on your seatbelt because each minute unfolds layer after complicated layer in the Jones family. Pastor Jones (Herb Newsome) is stern, loving, jaded, and compacted with generations of pressure from holding his family together and upholding the standards of Mother Bethel Baptist Church.
The Jones family mourns the sixth anniversary of daughter Diane’s death, the elder son returns from prison, the daughter seeks to maintain control of her emotionally frazzled family, the mama’s got Alzheimer’s, the auntie moves in as caretaker, the younger son has got ambitions but it’s complicated, the best friend is always around, but why?
The daughter’s boyfriend still wants to marry into this family and err’body’s got a secret.
The First Deep Breath is not just a production displaying drama for drama’s sake. It’s riddled with the complexities of human nature, the hypocrisies of generations of religious indoctrination, the writhing unrequited sensuality of souls seeking fulfillment, and lonely hearts that desperately need to be understood. Ella Joyce is a Tour de force as the ailing Ruth Jones.
With full respect to Ms. Joyce’s illustrious body of work, this is her finest hour. Opa Adeyemo, Candace Thomas, Deanna Reed-Foster, Keith A. Wallace and Brandon Mendez Homer round out the cast but please world, take notice of Lee Edward Colston II. He not only stars as Abdul-Malik, the son of Pastor Jones, but he is also the writer of this riveting, culturally rich theatrical work of art.
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A salute is also in order for The Geffen Playhouse, which is hosting this production in grand style. The Geffen has gone above and beyond the call of duty to demonstrate equity and inclusion in ensuring that the community is aware of this production and that it benefits from it as well.
On Wednesday, February 8th, The First Deep Breath hosted Black Partners Appreciation Night, where key community organizations enjoyed a command performance sponsored by Uncle Nearest.
Proceeds from the night were granted to 100 Black Men of Los Angeles, Achievement Trust, BlackNLA, California Black Women’s Health Project, Cross Cultural Expressions, Maroon Arts and Culture, The NAACP, and the Southern California NCNW.
EURweb.com extends a special thank you to The Geffen Playhouse for the honor of being a media partner for the West Coast Premiere of The First Deep Breach. The show plays through March 5th 2023 in the Gil Cates Theatre at The Geffen Playhouse located at 10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024 in Westwood. For showtimes and tickets go to www.GeffenPlayhouse.org
Age Recommendation for The First Deep Breath is 14+ All Geffen Playhouse productions are intended for an adult audience; children under 6 years of age will not be admitted.
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