Ogden-God Kinda Looks Like Tupac, a play by Emilio Rodriguez, is having its Utah debut and second fully staged production ever at Good Company Theatre in Ogden Utah starting this weekend. Following the experience of Karina, a high school teacher, played by Estephani Cerros, and her fellow teacher, Garrett, played by Cory Clarke, as they mentor a budding art student Corinne, played by Wendy Joseph. Directed by Alicia Washington, this production was nothing short of absolutely moving and delightful. It should be said as a disclaimer though that this production deals with themes that are harsh and could be triggering, while essential to our current societal dialogue.
Cerros and Clarke have a very interesting relationship as teachers and great chemistry as players. Clarke as a white art teacher and Cerros as a Cuban Spanish teacher in a school with mainly black students, they have just finished a diversity training and have very different attitudes about what they have learned. Cerros convinces Clarke to encourage the character of Corinne, played by Joseph, to enter a student symposium with an art project for Black History Month. The production touches on issues of racism, gender, trouble in the school system, dating, and so much more. It does it with humor, a view of all sides, and truly eye-opening understanding. Director Washington certainly had a daunting task of managing such subjects, because there were scenes that were so shocking that there were audible gasps from the audience. I commend Clarke for his ability to manage to play a character that could show some of the most negative and hurtful sides of racism, and yet not be so hateful and harmful of a character that he was written off completely before we even started. The writing of Rodriguez was so true and haunting in that way. It was easy to get into the understanding of Clarke and his situation that it became more hurtful and shocking when he went off the deep end. There was a moment where Joseph as Corrine stated that she felt unsafe and wanted to leave, and I also felt quite unsafe for her because of the level of realness that the actors had brought to the stage. Having the trust as an acting and creative team to build a scene like that takes so much skill and work, and it made for a very beautiful conversation on the way home with myself and my biracial daughter about the experience of racism in the school system and who has the right to say what and why.
One of the most meaningful parts of the play is how Joseph and Cerros connect in different ways in a scene about hopes for the future, while still showcasing the challenges that are inherent based on age, culture, and expectations. I appreciated the storyline that showed how the character of Corrine was trying to be unique in the story of her art, and how frustrating it can be to be put into a box of expectation. Many of us want art and entertainment to make us feel comfortable. When she first presents her art project to her teachers, they find it too off the cuff, too unique for their tastes, and they feel like her interpretation of God is not appropriate for the symposium. As a theatre critic, it reminded me of how often we are faced with questions of appropriate choices of shows old and new. Why would the director change this show that is so iconic? It is no longer what I expected it to be. Why do this new and different show? I want to see something I am comfortable with. Joseph performed the final monologue with such power, asking who gets to choose what is offensive? Who gets to choose what is comfortable? God Kinda Looks Like Tupac to her, someone whose words and rhymes speak to her and her life beliefs. I fully confess, I am a middled aged white woman whose understanding of rap is limited to what Lin Manuel Miranda has taught me. However, I have spent enough time in enough places, with enough people, and certainly in enough theatre halls and places of art creation to know that God Kinda Looks like a lot of things to a lot of people. None of us have a right to own what that is or tell people how to interpret what art speaks to them. For me, this may have been the best thing I have seen in Utah all year. I think it is time for me to listen to some Tupac. 
God Kinda Looks Like Tupac plays Sept 12-29, one Thursday, Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays at 8pm, Saturday Matinee at 4pm, and Sundays at 4pm at Good Company Theatre, 2404 Wall Ave, Ogden Utah 84401. Tickets are $25-30, with student tickets available for $15 with student ID. For more information see https://goodcotheatre.com/.
