Relevant, powerful drama: Dominique Morriseau's 'Pipeline' opens at Sumter Little Theatre Feb. 10
A deeply moving story of a mother's fight to give her son a future, Pipeline is a contemporary American play that will resonate with audiences long after it's experienced.
Sumter Little Theatre Executive Director Eric Bultman brings together a strong and talented ensemble cast to create this new production of the play, called "a powerful, passionate and intelligent new play" by The Village Voice.
Pipeline confronts emotionally challenging and socially relevant themes of parental duty, race, class and the state of the American education system with unflinching but compassionate attention. The action centers on an inner-city public school teacher, Nya, played in this production by Gwyn Waters, who finds herself trying to help her son, Omari (C.J. Waters), who's in a serious predicament at his private school.
With tension mounting around an escalating situation, Nya is caught between conflicting forces, and her struggle is at the center of the plot.
"One interesting aspect of this play," Bultman said, "is that from the beginning - from the first moments, really - we're seeing multiple points of view presented by realistically drawn characters. It [the play] really grabs you and doesn't let go."
Bultman said a play like this requires a strong cast of equals.
"Each one of them has important weight to carry in telling this story," he said.
The New York Times extolled the strengths of the script, saying "Pipeline confirms Dominique Morriseau's reputation as a playwright of piercing eloquence."
Cast members Gwyn Waters (Nya) and C.J. Waters (Omari) share the same last name; the two are mother and son in real life, just as their characters are in Pipeline. For Bultman, this is a rare experience.
"I've directed family members in the same production several times but never in a relationship and situation as intense as this one. It's amazing to watch the two of them discover their characters and actions and know the depth of connection they share in real life. It plays on stage for sure," Bultman said.
Gwyn Waters also shared her feelings on the subject.
"Although this role is challenging," she said, "the joy is sharing the stage with my incredibly talented son, C.J. He is the opposite of Omari's personality. His gift of empathy helps him embody the rage that too many of our young Black boys carry inside of themselves. Whenever I watch him act, like [her character] Nya says, '... I get stuck staring.'"
She also described Nya's situation as being "trapped in every parent's worst nightmare."
The cast is comprised of Sumter Little Theatre veterans and newcomers. Bultman is excited about the combination of actors he's put together.
"They are really listening to each other and working off each other in such interesting ways," he said.
In order of appearance in the show, the cast is as follows: Nya, Gwyn Waters; Omari, C.J. Waters; Jasmine, Jamiyah Witherspoon; Xavier, Paul Brown; Laurie, Charlotte Drayton; and Dun, Deon Turner.
The crew also represents a wealth of local talent in stage manager Eric Lachance, sound design Michael Bacon, technical director Todd Warrick and costumes, Norma Holland.
For the safety of the cast, crew, staff and patrons, masks are required at the Sumter Little Theatre. Pipeline contains strong language appropriate to the story, which may make it unsuitable for younger audiences.
Want to go?
What: "Pipeline" by Dominique Morriseau
When: Feb. 10-13 & 17-20, Thursday-Saturday curtain at 8 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m.
Where: Sumter Little Theatre, 14 Mood Ave., Sumter
Cost: Adults $20, Students/Military $15