After moving back to Houston from what I found to be an theater rich scene in Kansas City, I have been slow to immerse myself in an irrefutably talented town, for several reasons, none of which have been a lack of interest. Therefore, I was excited to go see Sara Sings a Love Story at the Houston Ensemble Theatre over the weekend. It was in no uncertain terms an phenomenal production - based on sound, lighting and set design alone. But the story was equally fascinating but heavily due to a stellar cast to set it off. Bridjette Taylor-Jackson as Sara Vaughn, the play's namesake, put on a show in which her voice alone was worth the entire evening of theatre. Andrea Boronell-Hunter and Steven J. Scott as Elaine and Russell respectively, are also gifted vocalists who endear the patrons to the story before them through their ability to sing and move about effortlessly, dropping not a single note or missing a single beat. In this critics opinion, we don't get to see black love stories that span the test of time without trauma lurking around every corner. Yes, black folks can stay in love and Elaine and Russell do just that through the tumultuous 50's up until the final year the play reflects - 1990, the year Ms. Vaughn passed away.
Certainly, there are bones to be picked with the pacing of the play which is not owed to the direction or actors, the playwright - Stephanie Berry, struggled with jamming as much into this show as she wanted. A bit over ambitious, it feels rushed and we never fully appreciate the love story but in hindsight, while leaving the theatre, I understood and felt every bit of it. Possibly, the biggest issue was the dialogue that occurred over some of Taylor-Jackson's singing but it also added a bit of flare, so it may come down to patron preference. As the special sauce in this show was singing, I for one say let the songs be sung and hold on.
This show is worth seeing, make no question about it. Ensemble Theatre's job was to give us a great theatre experience and they did, the professionalism and artistic merit brought forth cannot be argued. The script has its issues but not enough to distract from the wonderful story sung about. Sara Sings a Love Story closes July 31st, do not miss it.