THE HANGOVER REPORT – Philip Dawkins’ CHARM exuberantly explores trans issues

Sandra Caldwell leads the company of Philip Dawkins' "Charm", an MCC Theater production at the Lucille Lortel

Sandra Caldwell (center) leads the company of Philip Dawkins’ “Charm”, an MCC Theater production at the Lucille Lortel

Last night I caught Philip Dawkins’ exuberant Charm in an MCC Theater production at the Lucille Lortel. Mr. Dawkins’ play, originally seen in Chicago two years ago, tells the story of Mama Darleena Andrews, a 67-year-old black transgender woman who leads “charm” classes to mostly trans, mostly insolent youths at the Center on Halsted in the heart of Boystown (a spin on the formula made popular the likes of “Dead Poets Society” and “Stand and Deliver”, if you will), the Windy City’s gay neighborhood located in the city’s north side. Mr. Dawkins is based Mama Darlene on the real-life Miss Gloria Allen, a Chicagoan who miraculously lived as a trans woman for more than half a century.

The MCC production is so full of heart that I feel somewhat discouraged to mention some of its limitations. Although Mr. Dawkins play is meant to inspire, it has the unshakable feel of a transparent (no pun intended!) movie-of-the-week special, and some of the acting from the younger set can be uneven. What you see is what you get with this one. But some scenes are stunners, such as the one in which Mama Darleena comes out with her true story. But no matter, Will Davis’s uplifting production oozes charisma in performance and is led by a sensational, straight-from-the-heart performance by the magnetic Sandra Caldwell, who herself just recently came out as trans, as Mama Darleena. Indeed, Miss Gloria is fitfully served by Ms. Caldwell’s honest, deeply personal performance, which transcends the limitations of the play.

RECOMMENDED

 

CHARM
Off-Broadway, Play
MCC Theater at the Lucille Lortel Theatre
2 hours (with one intermission)
Through October 8

 

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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