I’m always afraid of being the wrong me in the wrong place…Daddy’s always who he is, wherever he is. How do I do that!? — Jacqueline Marie Butler.
That heartfelt question, balancing personal identity & familial expectation while navigating two different worlds, is central to this timely, sweeping coming-of-age narrative.
This awe-inspiring one-woman play, richly written by Caleen Sinette Jennings and deftly performed by the magnificent Felicia Curry, explores one young black girl’s journey of self-discovery at the onset of the Civil Rights era.
Photo Credit: Julieta Cervantes
The first in a trilogy by playwright Jennings which includes “Queens Girl in Africa” and “Queens Girl: Back in the Green Mountains” is much more than a typical coming of age story. I feel this story will resonate with everyone, but in particular, black and brown women who struggle daily with “code-switching” navigating within the dominant society saying the “right things” to the right people in the right setting. It’s exhausting. And crystallized perfectly by Curry’s heartfelt delivery.
The Story chronicles the adventures of “bright-eyed, brown-skinned” Jacqueline Marie Butler, (Felicia Curry) who suddenly transitions from a protective, middle-class upbringing in 1950s Queens to a progressive, predominantly-Jewish private school in Greenwich Village.
Photo Credit: Julieta Cervantes
We first meet Jacqueline on her East Elmhurst stoop in Queens, New York. Felicia Curry is transcendent as “Jack” what her precocious, bestie Persephone Wilson teasingly calls her, (also inhabited by Curry), she relates her story endearingly as the naive and sheltered daughter of middle-class parents in 1964 New York. She matter of factly speaks of “white flight” (once colored families moved in) on her street and her love of Nancy Drew mysteries.
The play balances deftly as a humorous, brisk, slice of life punctuated with the irresistible sounds of Motown, but marbled throughout are stark realities of violence and social upheaval of the times. Ms. Curry’s monologue about the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing was incredibly touching, as Jacqueline reflects upon the four girls photos and sees herself. She makes new friends and loves her new school, but she heeds her parents, who love and nurture her, all while preparing her for the realities of a black girl in a country she loves, that won’t necessarily love her back.
She is both uplifted and burdened with the daunting expectations of her no-nonsense erudite mother Grace Lofton Butler, and her proud west- Indian, Black activist father Dr. Butler, both parents Ms. Curry performs distinctively.
In fact, Ms. Curry enacts over half a dozen different characters skillfully, at times in tandem, while she also does her own set changes, I was engrossed for 90 minutes while she guided me through Jaqueline’s life from her cleverly designed Erickson Street stoop.
Photo Credit: Julieta Cervantes
Curry’s Jaqueline is a “good girl’ an eager-to-please, easy-to-like bookworm, a witness to city life from her urban stoop, whom her mother watches like a hawk.
She spends her time dueling with her street smart “frenemy” Persephone, her more outgoing, well-endowed neighbor. And, giddily noticing boys, one in particular, Earl Waddington, breathlessly stealing cream-soda and salty kisses with, (out of mama’s sight of course) whose “eyes are diamonds set in the black velvet of his skin”, she proclaims Earl as the most beautiful boy in the world.
Photo Credit: Julieta Cervantes
Jaqueline Marie’s mother and father have big expectations for their gifted daughter. They wish her to immerse herself in life outside their neighborhood, a vast and beautiful world that is rapidly changing. We vicariously share Jacqueline’s daunting culture shock, going from the best student at P.S.143 in Queens to her acceptance into Irwin, a private Jewish school in Greenwich Village which is an eyeopener.
Photo Credit: Julieta Cervantes
Her friendship with impulsive, inquisitive little Brooklynite Karen Rubin is particularly well realized. At a sleepover she’s plied with creme de menthe and drilled rapid-fire about her nightly ablutionary regiment, why is there grease in her hair products?, what’s “ashy” skin? why she needs lotion?
Photo Credit: Julieta Cervantes
The play balances deftly as a humorous, brisk, slice of life punctuated with the irresistible sounds of Motown, but marbled throughout are stark realities of violence and social upheaval of the times. Ms. Curry’s monologue about the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing was incredibly touching, as Jacqueline reflects upon the four girls photos and sees herself. She makes new friends and loves her new school, but she heeds her parents, who love and nurture her, all while preparing her for the realities of a black girl in a country she loves, that won’t necessarily love her back.
Photo Credit: Julieta Cervantes
Alternating between the stern clipped voice and high expectations of her mom Grace and Black nationalist message of her Dad Charles was intriguing. At one point, Ms. Curry delivers in a deep, powerful patois as Dr. Butler – “You turn the other cheek and they beat you; you stand up for your rights and, they kill you. A Black man in America knocks on a door that will always be locked”.
Chilling, and still relevant today.
The assassinations of many civil rights leaders, one in particular they know personally, prompts the family to pack up and search for a better life elsewhere, and the surprising ending leaves that question open, as Jaqueline grows into a young woman who through joys and sorrows, grows to realize her agency.
Photo Credit: Julieta Cervantes
Queens Girl in the World is funny, poignant, and filled with life, you won’t want to miss!
l to r, Chad Austin, Felicia Curry and Paige Hernandez at “Queens Girl in the World”, rehearsal
QUEENS GIRL IN THE WORLD
Play by Caleen Sinnette Jennings. Directed by Paige Hernandez
Starring Felicia Curry
Produced by Abington Theatre Company
Chad Austin Artistic Director
New York Premiere Theatre 5 at Theatre Row 410. W. 42nd Street
Runs now through May 1st, 2022. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased here:
https://bfany.org/theatre-row/
***
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Photo Credit – Julieta Cervantes / Abington Theatre Company
