Theater Review: Smart People Does An Intelligent Play On Social Issues
Smart People is exactly as titled. This Second Stage Theatre production is about four intelligent people trying to figure out how race works in both life and study. Yet, for however intelligent they are, their humanity struggles to be better in both actions and words.
The great thing about Smart People is that it shows no matter how much you know, you can still get life wrong. Each character clearly has a high IQ, but whether or not they are “level-headed” is debatable. Moreover, their inability to connect to their hearts, despite choosing humanist professions and liberal ideologies, is poignant to discussions about human nature and rights. It brings up the question, “Can you defend humanity if you are not humane?”. Hence, Brian, played excellently by Joshua Jackson, is a Harvard Neuroscience Professor dedicated to proving that white people are biologically- wired to be racist. His best friend Jackson, charismatically played by Mahershala Ali, is perturbed by his study, despite suffering from systematic prejudice and discrimination as the sole black doctor in his hospital. Equally doubtful is Valerie, Brian’s assistant, whom too questions what the implications are to proving that racism is not a matter of hate but blood. The irony that both black characters are not happy about a white man proving white people are racist is fascinating to the audience but maddening to Brian. If he is defending blacks and calling out his own people, does that not make him a good person of merit?
Director Kenny Leon and writer Lydia R. Diamond deserve every accolade for this play. The discussions and themes are incredibly important for these times when media can invalidate Black Lives Matter as a movement. Moreover, the arguments are handled with a great balance of humor and virtue. Its approach to racism reveals that being a racist does not take away your humanity or that you have or will suffer pain. Racism is about the suffering you place upon others, not the one placed upon you. The difference is deeply revelatory through both the acting and set. As the set rolls in and out with a different piece of furniture, the audience feels as if it is watching three minute YouTube videos of these four persons. Each scene plays like an episode of their day, and exemplifies how race and gender spurs their lives and interactions with others. This sentiment gives the play perfect pacing so that the audience never feels bored or too overwrought by the seriousness of the matters being played out in front of them. The addition of gender as a layer to racial dynamics strengthens the play’s opportunity to expand on a discussion that, though meant for depth, is usually spoken superficially.
Valerie and Ginny, played by Tessa Thompson and Anne Son, bring life and humor to the show. Though Jackson and Ali give riveting performances, seeing Son and Thompson represent the woes of women in the race crossfire was much welcomed. Often, it is easy to ignore that life can be different and even harder when comparing the oppression of a black man and a black woman. The ease of Ali’s character, Jackson, to manipulate and shame Valerie as a woman is painfully awkward to watch but completely truthful. As Jackson questions whether Valerie is “black enough” to be with him, Brian diminishes Ginny for her avid dedication to her career and her belief that counseling Asian women on how to survive systemic oppression is more useful to society than just another study about it. The argument is well noted and a powerful recurring theme: how can racism be healed? Yet, Ginny shines also as the “Asian” or rather the character meant to represent the Latinos, Native Americans, and Middle Easterners that are either sided or ignored in arguments about racial oppression. Her character sadly states race is always a “black and white discussion”, which only furthers her reasoning for coming off strong to assure she is heard.
Smart People is not just a “smart” play but a wise one. It is an intellectual analysis on the “intelligent”, and whether being smart is valuable if you are not good or kind in deed. Ultimately, the lesson is that how you use your intelligence is more a measurement of your soul than the facts you memorize. The “reality check” is surprising and makes this play too mindful to be missed.
Running Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes with a 15- minute intermission.
Smart People runs until March 6th, 2016 and is presented at the Tony Kiser Theatre in New York City.
