"Bars and Measures" at Mosaic Theater Company

 

Mosaic Theater Company production photo by Chris Banks

Another day, another new theater! This one came recommended by a friend, so we felt pretty good about choosing this play, although the theater is well away from any part of D.C. that we'd been to before. [I should note that D.C. has changed immensely since I lived there more than 30 years ago. I'd never even heard of this area, called the Atlas District, where Mosaic is located.] Anyway, with the company recommended, and a play by Idris Goodwin, it seemed like a good bet!

The Play

The play centers around two brothers, both musicians. One, Eric, is a classical pianist, while his older brother Bilal plays jazz. Bilal has converted to Islam, and is currently in jail awaiting trial, accused of providing support to Islamic terrorist groups. Eric and others have rallied around Bilal to support him, including raising money for his defense with a big concert, where Eric will play jazz.

The show revolves around the relationship of the brothers, both musical and emotional, and the strains put on that relationship by Bilal's incarceration and trial. Bilal struggles as he's kept in solitary confinement for an extended period, with Eric as his only real contact outside. Eric is trying to keep afloat by working as an accompanist, particularly with Sylvia, as he tries to master enough jazz to play in support of his brother.

The Production

First off, the cast is amazing. Much of the play involves a fair amount of Eric (Joel Ashur) and Bilal  (Louis E. Davis) trading jazz riffs by scat singing, which is not easy to pull off, but they do it with apparent ease. And Sylvia (Lynette Rathnam) is a serious classical vocalist, and her voice is strong and sure. [Side note: we had seen Rathnam in Ashland last December in the ensemble for It's Christmas, Carol. Very different role, but she was terrific in both.] The show is a tight 80 minutes with no break, but it goes by very quickly, if intensely.

The set is clean and sparse, but evocative. Eric's small apartment on one side of the stage contrasts with the spartan room where Eric can visit Bilal in jail. And in the middle of the set, quietly dominating everything, stands Bilal's upright string bass. That's a particularly nice touch, since Mosaic has arranged with the DC Jazz Festival to have a live performer onstage before the curtain, playing the bass. Director Reginald L. Douglas has done a nice job of putting together a strong, coherent cast. We saw the opening performance of the show, and it was a smooth run.

Bottom Line

I'm really impressed with this show and with Mosaic. This is not an easy play, but they've done a terrific job with it. My only concern, really, is that they didn't have a very large turnout for the opening night. I trust the crowds will grow as word gets out about this production. Apparently it was their first live performance since COVID lockdown, so perhaps there is just unease at coming back. I trust more people will get to see this lovely show.

I should also give a quick plug to the neighborhood. The theater is in the Atlas Performing Arts Center, which is at 1333 H Street NE. That's in an area that I was completely unaware of when I lived in D.C., but it seems to be a thriving hub of art and culture, with numerous good-looking dining options nearby. I plan to check out the neighborhood more on subsequent visits.

I should also note that the next show Mosaic is undertaking is Mona Mansour's Unseen, which was the best show we saw last summer in Ashland. I wish we were going to be in town to see it! I will definitely have Mosaic on my radar for future viewing.