Spinning into Butter
When Rebecca Gilman wrote "Spinning into Butter" in 1999, Time
Magazine called it one of the best plays of the year. Taking its
title from a line in "Little Black Sambo," the drama deals with the
covert racism that is ingrained in contemporary culture.
Though "Spinning into Butter" has been produced quite often over
the years, it has also sparked a lot of controversy. Some critics
say it exposes many hidden levels of racism--especially among
intellectual liberals who vehemently deny they have any; while others
say it placates, white-washes, and merely "spins" the very subject
it purports to expose.
This month you have the chance to decide for yourself. On stage
at the Long Beach Playhouse Studio Theatre, "Spinning into Butter"
has been revived under the caring direction of Gregory Cohen.
Although racism remains among us and continues to be repugnant,
the style of Gilman's play is not as shocking or provocative as it
once was. So many plays, movies, and television shows have been
produced on the subject (coupled with "political correctness"),
"Spinning" doesn't deliver a knock-out punch any more.
That having been said, the cast does a solid job of painting
Gilman's premise. Set in Belmont College (a small liberal arts
school in rural Vermont), the plot slowly revolves around the
well-meaning Dean of Students, Sarah Daniels (nicely portrayed by
Rebecca Cherkoss), as she interacts and negotiates with students,
faculty, and school administrators.
Everything takes place in Sarah's book-lined office (beautifully
designed by Andrew Vonderschmitt and Cohen, under Mica Razo's
lighting). When the action starts, Sarah is softly, patiently,
explaining to Patrick (Tito Ortiz) that he's the perfect candidate
for a large, minority-student scholarship, but she needs to know his
ethnicity. When he replies, "Nuyorican," she tells him there is no
such category, and gently suggests that he write "Puerto Rican."
The die is cast; without doubt, trouble is in the wind.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ross Collins (Christopher Brennan), Dr. Burton
Strauss (Kevin Michael Moran), and Dean Catherine Kenney (Jane Nunn)
are waiting to meet with Sarah. When she tells them that Simon, one
of the college's few African-American students, has been getting
racist hate-mail, they rush to contain the problem. They want to
convince everyone that things are under control.
As a stop-gap measure, Burton proposes a campus-wide meeting to
discuss the subject of racism. Ross and Kenny agree, but Sarah
wants to talk to Simon first; she feels it might heighten tension if
everyone knows about the note. And sure enough, slowly but surely,
things go from bad to worse.
An opportunistic senior named Gregg (Wade Burch) shows up at
Sarah's office with plans to form a group called "Students for
Tolerance." Of course he has personal reasons for organizing it;
and, of course, he wants funds to start it. Then Patrick goes
completely ballistic when his financial aid is dropped. He says that
he hates the school and will transfer to NYU.
Though Burton is totally incompetent, he proposes a second
campus-wide meeting and the students rebel. Simon gets another
hateful note that calls him "Little Black Sambo," and Patrick writes
an editorial in the school paper accusing everyone at Belmont of
being a racist.
In desperation, Catherine asks Sarah to compose a ten-point plan,
"How to eliminate racism on campus." Then out they come: Secrets
are revealed that you'd least suspect and all hell breaks loose.
If you'd like to learn the consequences of such blatant
indiscretion on each character's part; or find out what happens at
Belmont College after the hysteria sweeps through, you have until
June 27.
"Spinning into Butter" continues at the LBP Studio Theatre, 5021
E. Anaheim St., Long Beach; Fri-Sat. at 8:00; Sun. at 2:00. Tickets
are available at www.lbplayhouse.org , at the box office, or by calling
(562) 494-1014.