by Joel Elkins

If you’re sick of the stereotype that all African American families live in the inner city, have an abusive and/or absent father, and can barely make ends meet, and you’re looking for a well-educated, upper class family that deals with everyday problems through love, respect and humor, then go watch reruns of “The Cosby Show,” because Stick Fly, now playing at the Matrix will probably just upset you.  It will make you laugh and think and challenge your ideas on race and class, but it will upset you.

That is not to say that the production of Lydia Diamond’s latest work won’t remind you at times of the 80’s sitcom.  After all, the father is a successful doctor and the children are well-educated.  They have a vacation house on Martha’s Vineyard where they gather one weekend to fish, talk, eat, drink, tell stories, laugh, play board games and eat and drink some more.  However, this family are no Huxtables.  First off, the father will never be confused with Cliff.  He doesn’t make funny faces to ease tense situations.  He drinks a little too much, has something to hide, and isn’t afraid to express disappointment over his son’s career path, or lack thereof.  And that’s all in the first five minutes.

The family’s normal undercurrent of passive aggression is further stirred up when Kent and brother Flip bring their girlfriends to meet the family for the first time.  One is (psst) white and the other (double psst) middle-class, so the conversations inevitably turn to issues of race and class, which are dealt with in such a thoughtful and even-handed manner that I found myself continually reevaluating which character to agree with.  There really is no safe harbor.  No viewpoint gets off scott-free in this production.  However, the way in which the characters express their viewpoints and how those viewpoints reflect on their own personal issues give this verbal tennis match even more dimension.

Added to this mix is the character of Cheryl, the daughter of the family maid who is filling in for her sick mom for the weekend.  The personal issues she is obviously experiencing come to the fold towards the end of Act Two and provide the most dramatic moments of the evening.

The acting is universally excellent, but Tinashe Kajese steals the show as young Cheryl, dealing with a secret that is threatening to burst out if she doesn’t share it with someone.  Her revelation leads to her own catharsis and provides license for the family members to express their own underlying issues.  While for most of the play action is centered around middle-class girlfriend Taylor, played beautifully by Micole Briana White, the performances of Chris Butler as younger son Kent and Avery Clyde as white girlfriend Kimber are both superbly understated and comically-timed.  John Wesley as the anti-Cliff and understudy Jason Delane as older son Flip also give strong performances.

Stick Fly is directed by Shirley Jo Finney, with lighting by Christian Epps.  Special accolades must go to the set design of John Iacovelli, which transforms the stage into a grand Martha’s Vineyard estate, complete with foyer, stairway, living room, kitchenette and patio, all within the confines of a small theater.  Dana Rebecca Woods (costumes) and Chuck Olsen (props) also have their work cut out for them, as one loses track of the number of wardrobe changes and meals (much of which is real food)  a wealthy family goes through in one weekend.

Stick Fly is performed Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 3 pm through May 31, 2009.

The Matrix Theatre Company is located at 7657 Melrose Ave. (between Fairfax and La Brea).

Ticket prices: $25.00 (Seniors, Students: $20.00)

Reservations online at www.matrixtheatre.com or by phone at (323) 960-7740