In Red and Brown Water

The play ‘In the Red and Brown Water’ by Tarell Alvin McCraney is an enticing play that follows the life of a young girl named Oya. The play starts out with very traditional music and dancing by all of the actors, to the beat created by a three man band on the far left side of the stage. I was very compelled by these dancers and musicians because they set the tone for the entire play. The band used very unique instruments such as, what looked like, traditional African drums and wind chimes, giving the play a very cultural vibe to go with the actors’ very traditional dance. They wore all white wardrobes which gave all the dances an ethereal effect.

Once the dancing and music ceases, a girl introducing herself as Oya steps out into the middle of the stage. She narrates her actions for the audience and it soon becomes clear that every character does so as well, which made understanding the plot very easy for an amateur like me. From first introduction, the audience learns that Oya is a very good runner (almost good enough for nationals) but it is also becomes clear that her mother disapproves. The beginning of the plot revolves around Oya’s dilemma of going to states vs. staying home with her mother. She ends up choosing staying home over the states offer from “the man from state”, which in my opinion was the better choice, since her mother dies soon afterwards.

Oya continues her life by holding up her household and but it’s soon derailed when she is begins a love interest with Shango whom doesn’t treat her very well. Nevertheless, it is clear that they are deeply in love; made obvious with one recurring line throughout the play, when Shango reaches for Oya’s ear and “circles, caresses.” Shango soon leaves to join the army. When this happens, Oya settles for another admirer from her past, Ogun Size. They marry but her first concern resides apparently on getting pregnant. Events also begin to complicate after Shango, her true love, returns from the war. Even with both men competing for her, Oya’s main concern still remains on becoming pregnant…but with whom?

I believe this was the most important dilemma in the storyline for the main characters since at stake, was Oya’s happiness, future, and potential family. In the end, unfortunately things don’t work out in her favor. She chooses Shango but is betrayed when Shango knocks up another girl, Shun. The departing scene is Oya insisting on giving Shango a gift in congratulations; her ear; the ear that he had so often “circled, and caressed.” The audience is left with Oya passed out in the middle of the stage and a sense of wonder of “what’s after this?”

The only other plays that I have seen were Lion King and Rent on Broadway. These plays were both based on popular, well known storylines so of course I was very skeptical watching ‘In Red and Brown Water.’ I was a little overwhelmed in the beginning with the ‘all-of-a-sudden’ dancing and loud, unfamiliar music, but as the story progressed and the characters began developing, I really enjoyed the experience. I applaud McCraney on this production and thank him for opening my eyes to more types of theatre.