Waiting to Be Invited

Louise, Delores, and Odessa don't look like heroes at first, just three African-American women dressed all-white for church and heading on a bus to downtown Atlanta. But today is Friday, and it's 1964. The Supreme Court made it illegal to discriminate on the basis of race. And the trio rides to Marsh's Department Store, where they will order lunch in the restaurant - fish sticks - and be among the first to break the racial barrier. All of this will be forgotten in years to come, one says. S.M. Shephard-Massat's comedy-drama, however, remembers how it felt to face a potentially violent unknown. Will they be served? And what? Germs or TB on dirty dishes? As the play evolves, with remarkably sharp dialogue and truly funny moments, the "weight of the situation" grows on women who have "never been integrated before." A litany of "what if's," fueled by Ruth, a nervous preacher's wife, incites fears even more. Whatever happens, says courageous Louise, they will be different when they come out. As will the country. One could pick at Common Ground Theatre's production - some lines missed, timing problems - but overall the play and the performances (especially by Monique Gaffney as Ruth, and Debi Mason as the indomitable Odessa, with strong support by Veronica Henson-Phillips, Ida L. Rhem, Sally S. Stockton, and Anthony D. Bell) build to a courageous, moving finale. T.J. Johnson, one of San Diego's favorite actors, shows he can also direct (and should do more!). And Jason Connors's sound design puts the audience literally in the bus. Only three performances remain. Go!


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