The Bluest Eye is a heart wrenching story that meticulously details the story of three young African American girls growing up in Ohio during the 1940’s. It portrays the happiness, joy , depression and misery young minorities faced during this time in America.

This play is an adaptation of Toni Morrison’s breakout novel The Bluest Eye”. Playwright Lydia R. Diamond brings life and a vision to the thought provoking novel. The entire play was one act, specifically 100 minutes long. I was way more engaged during the play because of no intermission almost felt like I was watching a Emmy or Academy Award nominated play in front of me.

Each costume fit the characters to the point, it was hyperelastic display of the appeal of the time. Without the simplistic yet intricate props on stage the play would feel incomplete. The stage was also extremely interactive, during a scene outside during a thunder start real water started to sprinkle on the stage in the background a waterfall flowed on the back wall.

The entire crew was comprised of known and some newly realized African American Actors and playwrights. The names of the actors are first and the character they play on the stage follows the actor’s real last name.

Carla Duren (Claudia), Brittany Bellizeare (Pecola) and Deonna Bouye (Frieda) Stephanie Berry (Mrs. Breedlove) and J. Bernard Calloway (Cholly) Caroline Strang (Maureen) Regina Marie Williams (Mama). Source: Star Tribune.

My favorite character by far was Regina Williams or known in the play as Mama. She has a sense of leadership and admiration towards the girls that is extremely hard to portray over a stage.  Without the independent and principled actors the play would not have success as it did.

The bluest eye in the darkest world. Photo created by Petr Kratochvil