Here is a time saver: get your butt over to The River Crosses Rivers II.  You will not be sorry.  This is an embarrassment of riches that you do not want to miss. 

There was an article in the New York Times a few days ago that was making a big hoo-rah out of the fact that there were three black women writers whose work would be on Broadway.  Well I happen to think that is not only swell, but about damn time.  Actually it is about damn time for anyone other than a white man to be on Broadway…. Blah blah blah.

HOWEVER – being on Broadway is no guarantee of excellence, and you have to pay big bucks (thank you Mel Brooks for breaking the $100 barrier in 2001 and introducing $450 premium seats) just for the privilege of finding out if a show is good.

No such problem here!!  Tickets are $18.  You can treat yourself, your honey, and a couple of friends and still have enough left over for the cocktail you will need after your socks are blown off.

This is a festival of 9 short plays, all under 10 minutes, by women of color.  And these are PLAYS, folks.  These are not scenes.  This is proof that stories can be reduced to their essence – just as a 5 minute monologue can be reduced to two minutes – and still retain a punch. 

The added benefit here is that the acting and directing in every play completely serve the writers.  Lots of Brava’s to spread around here.

Each piece comes close to exploding off the page.  The subject matter covered includes death by broken heart, first generation serious growing pains, a reality test for fantasy, the losses measured for children in mixed marriages, a look at the beneficiaries of civil rights through the eyes of someone who earned those rights, reparation’s delicious possibilities, learning to tackle fear as a way of dealing with grief, the sick and sticky web of betrayal, and the ties that bind women to each other through their bodies.  And that’s just the bare bones info.  These plays are so multi-layered they make your head spin.

Each piece also has at least one moment that sneaks up on you.  Sometimes it delivers a one-two punch.  Other times it opens the door to a secret.  Other times it appears as a ghost from your own past.  And on more than one occasion there are moments that take your breath away.

If I could split myself into a million people I would personally kidnap you and get you over to Ensemble Studio Theatre to see this festival.  If you are of the theatre, you will be inspired.  If you are a theatregoer you will be more than entertained.  In either case, you will be lifted up like the voices James Welson Johnson called on when he wrote; “Lift ev'ry voice and sing, Till earth and heaven ring.”

Earth and Heaven are meeting at the river and the noise is a joyful one.

Are you still reading this?  You should be on the phone.

THE RIVER CROSSES RIVERS II – Elizabeth Van Dyke and Jamie Richards Artistic Directors

One for the Brothers by Pearl Cleage, directed by Woodie King, Jr. 

With Reggie Burch, Denise Burse and Morocco Omari

Skin by Naveen Bahar Choudhury, directed by Jamie Richards

With Vandit Bhatt and Nitya Vidasagar

Modem Romance~ by Bridgette Wimberly, directed by Chuck Patterson

With Chike Johnston, Trish McCall, and Harvey Gardner Moore

One Quarter by Christine Jean Chambers, directed by Talvin Wilks

William Jackson Harper and Amelia Workman

Post Black written and directed by Regina Taylor

Ruby Dee and Carmen DeLavallade alternate

The Settlement by Philana Omorotionmwan, directed by Dean Irby

With Denny Dale Bess, Teresa Stephenson and Marie Thomas

Learning to Swim by France-Luce Benson, directed by Elizabeth Van Dyke

With Stephanie Berry, Lincoln Brown, Ashley Bryant and Paulo Quiros

Comida de Puta (F@$king Lousy Food) by Desi Moreno-Penson, directed by Jose Zayas

With Maggie Bofill, Gilbert Cruz, Ismael Cruz Cordova, ands Susanna Guzman

Waking up by Cori Thomas, directed by Tea Alagic

With Lynette Freeman and Amy Staats

Set by Rebecca Lord-Surratt, Lights by Greg MacPherson, Costumes by Erica Evans, Sound by Bill Toles, Properties by Bridget Santaniello, Production Stage Manager Julie Watson

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT THROUGH OCTOBER 2: Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:00pm, with Sundayd matinees at 3:00pm on September 25 and October 2.

The Ensemble Studio Theatre, 549 West 52nd Street, west of 10th Avenue.

Tickets $18 - 866.811.4111 or www.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/134.