Ruined, Lynn Nottage's 2009 Pulitzer Prize-winning play about the atrocities endured by women in the embattled Democratic Republic of Congo left me feeling both moved and frustrated.
Set in a brothel in a small mining town, Ruined focuses on the madam (Portia) and three of her "girls," all of whom have been forced to turn to prostitution for survival in a war-torn, lawless and dehumanized society.
Based on interviews Nottage and Whoriskey conducted with Congolese rape victims, the play tells a powerful and tragic story - -but in a maddeningly flawed way. The biggest flaw is the play's construction, with a swirl of story lines making for repetition and confusion. On one side are Mama Nadi and her brood; on the other, various soldiers, miners and guerillas who act in uniformly loud, nasty and brutal ways. You can't tell these baddies apart even with a program.
Even more exasperating, Whoriskey has instructed her actors to speak with thick African accents that render at least a third of the dialogue -- including several key speeches -- impenetrable. Also, all too often, the director allows some of her actors to turn their faces upstage while delivering lines, making for even more incomprehension.
Despite these drawbacks, though, I was still able to appreciate the play's importance and power. Ruined tells a grim story, but it has a lot of heart and warmth -- and it is skillfully and vibrantly acted, especially by Portia (as the Mother Courage-like madam) and by Russell G. Jones (as Christian, a peddler who is the only decent, sympathetic male on stage).
The actresses who play the three young hookers, Salima (Quincy Tyler Bernstine), Josephine (Cherise Boothe) and Sophie (Condola Rashad) excel as well, with the latter also showing off a fine singing voice.
Ruined also benefits from its solid production values -- appropriately garish set and lighting, live music, slick dance numbers.
