By: Darryl Reilly
Get high to see far, you don’t know who we are
We’ll nut upon ya face and call it street art
Vigorously skateboarding in an empty swimming pool and giddily reciting lines, poetry slam-style, is how we first encounter two young, Black rappers in playwright Nazareth Hassan’s jolting Bowl EP; one character is trans, the other is male. “A flirty interlude,” “Deepthroating” and “Molly” are among the sly titles of the 25 short scenes called “Tracks,” which are briefly projected onto the kidney-shaped pool. Mr. Hassan offers an engaging and highly theatrical work, centered on his two humane and earthy characters, during 80 exhilarating, hilarious and cryptic minutes.
From Hassan’s delirious dialogue we discern that the duo have formed a rap group, are writing songs, figuring the order of the tracks for their album, deciding what to name themselves and are going out on tour. While they are tripping on acid, Bowl EP goes in a darker direction. A surrealistic, life-sized anime-type character appears, commits wild acts, and eventually removes her mask, becoming an eerie narrator. It all clicks mysteriously together due Hassan’s command of dramatic writing, the entrancing production and the fierce performances.
The equally dynamic Essence Lotus and Oghenero Gbajge are supreme as the lusty and loquacious rap team. Mr. Lotus and Mr. da Quitter each offer searing and soaring portrayals while conveying their characters’ mutual, sensual attraction and their immense talents. The sunny and magnetic Felicia Curry commands as the hallucinatory interloper. With her beaming stage presence and melodious voice, Ms. Curry thoroughly takes over the latter part of the show.
Hassan’s direction is rapid-fire, visually accomplished and packed with momentum on the 360-degree playing area. Co-scenic designers Adam Rigg and Anton Volovsek’s swimming pool is dazzling. Kate McGee’s lighting design is swirling assemblage of bright and murky hues with crashing blackouts for scene transitions, which create a dreamy dimension. Sound designer Ryan Gamblin renders the music and effects with verve. Zavier Taylor’s aesthetic video and projection design contributes to the fantastical atmosphere. Fight choreographer and intimacy director Teniece Divya Johnson’s bracing physical achievements are integral to the production. DeShon Elem’s costume design is of witty flamboyance.
Bowl EP is a lively and haunting theatrical experience.
Bowl EP (through June 8, 2025)
National Black Theatre in association with The New Group, produced by the Vineyard Theatre, 108 East 15th Street, in Manhattan
For tickets, visit www.vineyardtheatre.org
Running time: 80 minutes with no intermission