Tambo & bones hits L.A. with stunning blast of Black energy, wit and cheekiness. The show features two hard-working, remarkable African-American actors, W. Tre Davis and Tyler Fauntleroy, who deliver Dave Harris’ dialogue and song in a variety of comic settings ranging from a mock meadow and a rap-concert stage to a futuristic dreamscape (occupied by two white robots).
We are first introduced to Tambo (Davis) and Bones (Fauntleroy) as they parody performers in a minstrel show, hanging around in a farm patch and exchanging lame jokes as they try and figure out how to milk quarters out of the largely white audience.
When that doesn’t lead to riches and power, Tambo suggests giving a speech on race in America. That results in another flop, leading to a reincarnation as rap artists bedecked in gold chains and tailored baggy trousers. Success finally comes! They become super-stars and are showered with money and acclaim. But money doesn’t bring happiness, they discover, not while the music business is still under the thumb of the white power structure. Tambo wants to blow capitalism to bits, but the more practical Bones persuades him to chill. If you can’t beat ‘em, join’ em, he advises.
That leads to a scene in the future when our intrepid minstrel clowns are Silicon Valley entrepreneurs heavily invested in robotics–-and can’t help realizing that they are also a couple of sell-outs.
Harris’s caustic and profane patter is often hilarious (though difficult to understand when he goes deeply into hip-hop cadences). He also breaks the fourth wall numerous times when Tambo & Bones address the audience directly, making a pitch not just for money but love and understanding.
The show works best when it’s being satirical and outrageous, less well when it gets serious and sounds the same note again and again.
There is no carping, however, when it comes to the performance of Davis and Fauntleroy (which dates back two years to trial productions at Playwrights Horizon and Ojai Playwrights Conference). The actors, strongly aided by director Taylor Reynolds, work together excitingly and memorably.
