The Unicorn Theatre is one of my favorite venues of any theatre I've visited - from Los Angeles to North Carolina and anywhere in between. A great space, the quality of their productions is second to none. The last time I was here was when I visited Kansas City in March of this year and saw American Son. A very well-done show, my biggest complaint was the powerhouse actress Teisha Bankston didn't look old enough to have a twenty year relationship and eighteen year-old son. These are the type of complaints one usually will have to muster up when reviewing a show done at the Unicorn because yes, they are that good. So, when they made available a virtual production of Kill Move Paradise by James Ijames, I was immediately curious as to what they would be able to achieve. I must disclose, I'm familiar with the play and I'm not a fan. Its a bit contrived. I say this with an understanding of the awards it has won and stellar reviews it has received. In this critics opinion, the play was written for white audiences to allow them insight into the Black perspective regarding the anti-black violence that is currently shaming our nation (and by currently I mean the past four-hundred years). Expect to see several theatres begin to showcase work by black playwrights that speak to Black Lives Matters and other similarly themed stories, but I will attest that this isn't what the Unicorn is doing. Anyone can take a look at their production history to know they've consistently produced works by BIPOC writers. Therefore, undertaking this show, while I'm sure is not by coincidence considering the current climate, by no means is it opportunistic. Taking place in the afterlife, Kill Move Paradise see four black characters come to term with their fate - they are dead and many others are to follow. We know this if for no other reason than a very long list of black people killed, such as Tamir Rice, Eric Garner, Yvette Smith, Sandra Bland and others. As a black man, this play preaches to the choir but I'm sure it will speak to white audiences, possibly humanizing us and allowing us to be heard. I cannot speak much more on the actual content of the play, in short, its three black men and one black child discussing life while in the afterlife. Unicorn, from what I can see, is the first theatre to offer a full virtual production in Kansas City. Kudos to them for doing what honestly needed to be done, because theatre is missed greatly during this pandemic. But just like anything else in life, being first also means making the first mistakes. The production suffers due to quirky technical effects. The lightning, shaking screen, the actors doing their best to convince us they're stumbling or falling and the cuts simply do not work. Directed by Damron Russell Armstrong, the show seems to have been approached with less expectations by the crew due to how it would be offered. It was not focused or sharp. There were long delays in the dialogue and it dragged. Actor choices that didn't adequately reflect the content's intention seems to have been overlooked by Armstrong. Donovan Woods who gives the most natural and believable performance also had the most line notes - flubs and indications that his role may have been under-rehearsed. He also had an incredibly long stretch in which he lay on the floor crying, only for us to see he had nary a tear in his eyes. Darrington Clark (although faux locs was an interesting choice) was fine in his role, as was Rakeem Lawrence. However, Savaughn McClaine could have used a bit more finesse. It appeared trying to act much younger than what he actually was presented a problem for him. That said, credit has to be given to all involved in being brave enough to venture out and bring theatre lovers something to hold us over until we can be back in actual seats. This show was not bad and if they plan on bringing another virtual production I'm sure it will be much better. For now, any other theatres planning on virtual events should watch Kill Move Paradise at the Unicorn and see what they did well and learn from where they missed the mark. It would have happened to anyone going first and will more than likely happen to whomever goes next. This is new for us all.
- sunbeirutta