We Are…We Are…. A Winner!
Reviewed by Bethany Leslie
Step back into the pre-pandemic times of 2004, three years after 9/11, into an Ohio HBCU college classroom where a step team is preparing for a homecoming competition. Like many other college students, these six men not only balance academics with fun and parties, but they also have to deal with life—sometimes circumstances so much bigger than them.
Originally from the 2022 New Works Festival, author James Anthony Tyler brings his back his script of Into the Side of A Hill to Flint Repertory Theatre for its world premiere production playing throughout February, under the direction of Ken-Matt Martin. The timing of this work is not lost on this reviewer, as the community celebrates Black History Month and so many talented Black artists and their creations.
As the audience walks into the space, they are greeted by Sydney Lynne’s scene design, along with Mia Irwin’s props, taking them back to a college band room, with a drum, equipment, original projector, VCR player, and multiple CD players. As the production opens Levi J. Wilkins’ lighting design helps set the tone for those brotherly banters of jests and choice language, special intimate moments of raw emotions, and the step routines themselves—and it all works so well together. Speaking of step routines, choreographers Ken-Matt Martin and Victor Musoni stole the show with their work. Wow! These routines (both in practice and performance) were so full of detail, technique, and power! If you have never seen step before, you are in for a treat!
Moving to the six-fraternity brother ensemble played by Brandon Michael Hall, David Guster, Antonio Michael Woodard, Victor Musoni, Freddie Fulton, and Brian Sullivan, they are the heart of the show. All of them bring depth and athleticism to their roles. A couple of actors that do stand out though include Guster who is currently a college student at U of M-Flint and holds his own with the rest of the cast. Another is Hall, who plays Zarrel. Starting his journey at such high stakes himself, he still finds levels throughout the show as the older brother and leader (alumni) of the group. Then with the step routines themselves, Fulton embodied the heart and soul of the rich history of stepping along with the drive for perfection for the competition.
But with most activity groups—there is always more behind the scenes that is going on. That is where the audience finds the richness of this piece. Not only do the struggles of financial circumstances, death, grief, family dynamics, double standards, duty, young love, new life, and more weigh on each of the characters. But it is how they finally open themselves up and share with the brotherhood that is not easy. Historically, for anyone during this time to be open about matters and challenges it is just not the case, but for young men who may not have had role models or fathers to ask, it is doubly difficult. These actors and Tyler address that tension so well throughout the show—like boxers, we fight in the ring, but we are all fighting outside of the ring too. It is truly through the support, heart, and community that one gets through it all.
Bravo to Into the Side of the Hill on a winner of a show and such a beautiful heartfelt journey into these men’s lives! This highly recommend show continues through February 18, 2004.
For tickets, go to https://tickets.thefim.org or call the box office at 810-237-7333.
Flint Area Theatres 