Something special is happening at Stages. Its newest world premiere, Plumshuga: The Rise of Lauren Anderson, is a Houston story. It's also a human story.
It's triumphant.
Photo by Melissa Taylor
DeQuina Moore is riveting as Lauren Anderson.
It's a bold collaboration that showcases the power of the Houston arts scene, not to mention the wealth of creative minds this city has to draw on to pull off this bio-play/dance showcase/spoken word masterpiece.
Written by former Houston poet laureate Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton and with music by Jasmine Barnes, this is the story of Lauren Anderson, the first Black performer to be named a principal dancer to the Houston Ballet. Anderson's place in history and her unmatched talent as an artist are part of this story. But so are the sacrifices and struggles she endured to get there, and the long road to accepting herself.
"I never thought I'd be a ballerina," DeQuina Moore's Lauren tells the audience near the top of the show, explaining how her father's perfectionism and her mother's independence intertwined into her DNA. "I hadn't always had dance in my body, but I always had rhythm."
Following Lauren's journey as a Black child and artist through the white world of dance, Plumshuga brings the audience along on the fluid sweep of memory through choreography that blends classical ballet and modern form. Like Anderson herself, this show refuses to be categorized. It's not a dance piece. It isn't strictly a play. It's not a poetry slam, although the cadence of Mouton's script and undulation of Moore's delivery might make audiences think it is.
As Moore narrates the triumphs and tragedies of Anderson's life, dancers bring the story to life, accompanied by a soundtrack that's sultry and soulful.
Symbolism abounds. Two trees on either side of the stage, meant to reference the trees in Anderson's childhood home's yard, echo the words that will propel her forward and send her crashing into self-doubt: "You don't belong here. You don't fit in."
Throughout the show, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Houston Ballet's Jessica Collado and Bridget Kuhns, weaves throughout the action, an encouragement, a foil, a warning.
Vulnerability is often a buzzword in theater, sometimes so overused as to be rendered meaningless. But the vulnerability laid bare in Plumshuga demonstrates the hardiest kind of bravery. Anderson worked with Mouton on the script, sharing her story in all its humor and sadness, desire and destruction, wit and hard-won wisdom. On stage, it comes to life with fearlessness and grace.
That's largely due to the incredible performances of two Houston Ballet artists, Kellen Hornbuckle as Dancer Lauren and Danae McGlothen as Young Lauren, who bring the story through choreography by the Houston Ballet's artistic director Stanton Welch and Harrison Guy, founder and artistic director of Urban Souls Dance Company.
The choreography puts classical technique and elegance against raw power and energy in a combination that is compelling and dynamic. It's also because the co-directing team of Mouton and Eboni Bell Darcy weave power and empowerment as themes for their cast to bring to life. No one piece of this production could exist without the others, and it's a testament to collaborative forces to see so many styles seamlessly interwoven to tell a single story.
The dance ensemble is magnificent, with performances that range from poignant to electrifying. Cameron Edwards and Kharma Grimes, both Urban Souls members, as Love and Addiction, command attention. It's really a wonder to watch this corps of artists. In Stages intimate space, their movement is magnified and mesmerizing.
The bare set transforms into ballet rehearsal rooms, nightclubs, Anderson's home and more with simple props and set pieces. Video designer Sarah Flores' projections add depth. There is a ballet studio with blonde wood floors and a tree-lined Houston street. There's also the occasional graphic design, squiggles and lines on a screen, which don't land quite as well.
But, these projections are at their most effective when they show Lauren Anderson herself, at the very height of her powers. They're made more poignant as we find out that height coincides with her lowest points.
"Perfection doesn't make room for everyone," Lauren says, a casual acknowledgement that will have ramifications throughout the show.
Anyone who's ever felt less-than, who's been excluded, who's wondered if they were enough will recognize something kindred in this story, which is set to be the don't-miss-it-show of the season. Plumshuga is big and bold and beautiful, and showcases so much of the very best of this city and its artists.
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Plumshuga: The Rise of Lauren Anderson runs through November 13 at Stages, 800 Rosine St. For tickets and more information, visit Stages online.
