Theatre Review: “Duat” Is A Lesson In Finding One’s Inner Paradise
Duat, the new Soho Repertory production directed by Will Davis, is something else. This play/musical is weird to the fullest, which some will like and find brilliant, while others will not. Written self-reflectively by its lead, Daniel Alexander Jones, Duat is his soul’s course through the underworld into his paradise/ alter-ego: Jomama Jones. Hence, Duat is the rare theatre production that divides audiences in its label of either insanity or genius, which, in some ways, is what theatre is supposed to do: break boundaries.
The term Duat is Egyptian for the underworld, where a soul has to undergo trials and confessions of both guilt and altruism to enter Paradise. The first act plays to this notion with lead Daniel Alexander Jones charming the audience with his charismatic tales of discovering his strength, sexuality, and blackness through the family that raised him. Set in a library, Jones is accompanied by two younger versions of himself. Jacques Gerard Colimon plays the teenaged, sexually driven Jones whose confident, vivacious embrace of life and good 80’s music will make him a magnet to audience’s eyes. Tenzin Gund Morrow plays the youngest version of Jones and has the sweet voice and demeanor that makes him the child-angel of the production. Together, the three build a vivid, humorous, and insightful depiction of Jones’ upbringing with an intimacy of a “one on one” conversation. Such intimacy is carried to the much more glitzier second act.
It is in Act 2 that Daniel Alexander Jones transforms into the soulful diva/ kind motherly figure known as Jomama Jones. Jones radiates as Jomama, which can be seen in just the change of his smile. Jomama brings out in him the freedom, kindness, and brilliance of his soul, which makes the character another magnet for the audience’s eyes. Taking the play in a school rehearsal, the full cast joins to sings songs that are picturesque and symbolic with references to bees, black flowers, and other nature images of finding ones essence/ place in the world. Duat is a promotion of both self-love and self-peace; the latter of which is not always recognized as integral to moving forward from your Duat.
We always hear about loving yourself, but what Duathighlights is another aspect, which is about making peace with yourself. From your flaws to your singular beauty, Duat is about not always beating yourself up till you become the image of yourself in your head. Instead, to overcome the underworld, Jones must approach his life and himself with a calm admiration for his own resilience and uniqueness. This is a powerful message that may not be the easiest to acquire for all audiences.
Duat is a layered theatre experience with nuances and symbols laced into its fabric that will come off beautiful and intelligent to some viewers, while to others it will be a mute point. This musical/play is very spiritually historical in its approach to making amends with one’s self by drawing from ancient Egyptian rituals and 80’s glam to define what it takes for a soul to rest in peace. The set design is minimal, at best, but enlivened through the monologues and conversations between characters and, at times, the audience. Duat is a theatre production for the intellectual that likes to uncover the hidden meanings and many details that make story surpass its telling to become a discussion of morality.
Duat plays until November 6 at the Connelly Theater located in 220 EAST FOURTH STREET NY, NY. For more information on Duat and to buy ticket Click Here.
