From left are Tokunbo Adedeinde (Kevin, married to Lena in act two), Khanner Hancock, Olivia Hinebaugh and Rob Gorman.
Taking place on two afternoons, 50 years apart, “Clybourne Park” examines what happens when home becomes a battleground in the politics of race. Inspired by the award-winning play, “A Raisin in the Sun,” this dark comedy won both a Tony Award and a Pulitzer Prize. And it’s being presented by City of Fairfax Theatre Co., April 28-May 7, at Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive in Fairfax. (See “To Go” box for specifics).
In September 1959, Russ and Bev are moving out of the Chicago suburbs. They’ve inadvertently sold their house in Clybourne Park to the neighborhood’s first Black family and ignited a community showdown. Fast forward to September 2009, and this same neighborhood is ripe for gentrification. The house is again changing hands – but this time to a young, white couple with plans for demolition and a knack for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.
The cast of eight has been rehearsing since January, and nearly every actor plays two parts. Calling the cast “absolutely amazing,” Director Chaz Pando said things are going great. “It’s my first CFTC production, and they’ve been very welcoming – it already feels like a family. I directed ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ elsewhere, seven years ago, so this is full circle for me.”
“This is the house the family from that play goes to, and it’s exciting to continue their story,” he said. “Acts one and two are like two different shows within one play, and each actor brings life and depth to their character. Audiences will feel a lot of emotions about the relationships and views portrayed – how we’ve evolved as a society, different beliefs, power structures and women having a voice. It pulls different reactions from everyone. What makes one person laugh makes another cringe. It pushes all the buttons, and they’ll identify with the characters onstage.”
Khanner Hancock plays Lena in 2009; she’s the great-niece of her namesake Lena, matriarch of the Black family that bought the house in 1959 in “A Raisin in the Sun.” That play gave the perspective of that family moving into the neighborhood; this one tells it from the white family’s point of view.
Describing her character as a patient, middle-aged mother of three, Hancock said, “She’s compassionate and definitely vocal about the historical value of this house – the first one to integrate the neighborhood. And although she’s reserved, she’s there to fight for her family’s history and the history of the Black community. The new, white homeowners want to tear down the house and build one that’s 15 feet, 3 inches above the others and doesn’t fit in.”
As a Black woman, Hancock said portraying Lena has been “eye-opening in how history repeats itself – 1959 wasn’t that much different than how 2009 or 2019 were, or even today. For example, in this show, I take how I carry myself into a room of mixed races today and apply it to this role – because it’s the same. I have to be poised and speak with clarity and confidence so no one can question my education.”
She said the audience’s reactions to this play will differ by race. “There are lots of uncomfortable statements and jokes about race, gender and religion – all the things we’d never talk about in polite company,” said Hancock. “It’s thought-provoking in showing our biases and is almost a call to change. How do we want the world to look in 2059? The production’s a success because this theater company and director took the risk to make people – including the cast – uncomfortable. And the audience will think about it after they leave.”
Rob Gorman portrays Karl Lindner in 1959 in act one. “Karl represents the Clybourne Park Community Assn. and doesn’t want the Black family to move in,” said Gorman. “He was the only white character in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ and tried to bribe the Black family into not buying the house, but they refused. In this show, I’m the same person; but this time – which happens the same day ‘Raisin’ took place – as my Plan B, I try to persuade the white home sellers not to sell to this family. But that doesn’t work, either.”
Gorman said Karl considers himself the voice of his all-white community. “He’s the most racist person in act one because he’s trying to ‘protect’ the neighborhood by preventing its integration,” said Gorman. “He predicts that, as more Black families move in, the white families will move out. He thinks he’s doing the right thing and that the incoming Black family will also be unhappy because they won’t be accepted in Clybourne Park.”
Calling Karl “serious, awkward, fussy and quietly annoying,” Gorman said, “Even the white people don’t like him. He’s rigid and old-fashioned. It’s a challenge playing him because it gets me out of my comfort zone. I know I’ll get a negative reaction from the audience, and it’ll be fun to hear their live remarks. But in act two, I’m a completely different character. I play Steve in 2009, when he and his wife, Lindsey, become the first whites to move into the now all-Black Clybourne Park.”
He said people will like the show because “It’s very funny – the dialogue is actually hilarious, which is surprising, considering the subject matter. Everyone takes themselves so seriously, but everything they say is so funny, and it’s written so brilliantly. It also has the echoes of history and the similarities and differences between integration in the ’50s and gentrification today.”
Portraying Lindsey is Olivia Hinebaugh. She and Steve are in their 30s and she’s pregnant with their first child. “She’s well-meaning, always tries to say the right thing and wants Blacks and whites to get along,” said Hinebaugh. “She thinks moving to the neighborhood will be a non-issue; but often, inadvertently, she says the wrong thing and can actually be offensive. She tries to be P.C. and wants everyone else to be, too.”
It's a fun part, said Hinebaugh, because “There are complicated dynamics between Olivia and her husband. Lots of times, she can barely stand him. She’s trying to befriend a Black family, but comes off as condescending, so this role lets me stretch my comedic muscles, while portraying someone believable as a person.”
She, too, said the characters say such funny things that she can’t wait to see the audience’s reaction. “And it’s likely going to be different, every show,” said Hinebaugh. “I hope people come more than once because, every time, they’ll see new things they didn’t catch the first time. Also, the actors onstage have difficult conversations. And by coming to the show, people will feel invited to have these conversations in their own lives – and realize it can be messy, but worth it.”
This play is part of Fairfax City’s Spotlight on the Arts festival. Show times are Friday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 29, at 2 and 7:30 p.m. – with an audience talkback after the 2 p.m. show; Sunday, April 30, at 2 p.m.; Thursday-Friday, May 4-5, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 6, at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, May 7, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25, adults; $20, students, via https://www.fairfaxcitytheatre.org/productions/clybourne-park.
*ASL interpreters will be at the April 29 matinee and the May 5 show.
Note: This play includes sensitive topics such as racial discrimination, PTSD and suicide. It also contains adult humor and strong language, which may be inappropriate for children.