Review of haunting "Bluest Eye" at Hartford Stage

HARTFORD – "The Bluest Eye," a tragic tale of shattered dreams now playing at Hartford Stage, is a poignant and revealing look inside the troubled heart and mind of a young black girl.
Based on the Toni Morrison novel "The Bluest Eye," the story of 11-year-old Pecola Breedlove's childhood is filled with racism, incest and poverty.
The play, adapted by Lydia Diamond, is almost devoid of hope, save for the thought that the story is set in the 1940s and that life has to be better now for a girl like Pecola.
Though she lives in poverty and is abused by her own father, possibly the saddest fact about Pecola's life comes from within. She doesn't believe in herself or see her own beauty.
Instead, brainwashed by culture, society, maybe even her own family, she believes that she must have blue eyes to be pretty. Naturally, she supposes that all good things come from being pretty, so she prays for blue eyes.
In her simple, heartbreaking prayer, Pecola asks God to change her brown eyes to blue "so that my mama loves me and I have friends and they think I'm pretty."
It's a painful thing to hear a child say, and it hurts to watch the story unfold.
The all-adult cast does a terrific job with the story, but it's important to recognize the outstanding performance by Adepero Oduye, who plays Pecola.
Other notables were Miche Braden, who played Mama and also brought her wonderful voice to the music in the show, and Ellis Foster, who delivered some of the play's most humorous moments with a delightfully dry wit in the character of Daddy, a hardworking and loving father who sharply contrasted the abuser.
The set, typical for Hartford Stage, is intriguing and well thought-out.
Sheets hung on a series of clotheslines all around the set give the feel of an old-fashioned city neighborhood, and the story is unveiled in increments that parallel when the bedclothes are removed one by one from the line.
"The Bluest Eye" is a co-production of Hartford Stage and the Long Wharf Theater in New Haven.
The show runs at Hartford Stage through March 23. The production then moves to the Long Wharf Theater from March 28 through April 20.
Eric Ting, Long Wharf's associate artistic director, directs "The Bluest Eye" at both theaters.
Tickets for the Hartford Stage production are $23 to $64, but discounts for groups, last-minute purchases and some $10 "Ten Spot" tickets may be available. Contact the theater box office at (860)527-5151 or go to www.hartfordstage.org for more information.

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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com