BSR_S09E06 - THE COMEUPPANCE - Taysha Marie Canales

Broad Street Review, The Podcast

THE COMEUPPANCE

BY BRANDEN JACOBS-JENKINS
DIRECTED BY MORGAN GREEN
A CO-PRODUCTION WITH WOOLLY MAMMOTH THEATRE COMPANY

Set in 2023, Jacobs-Jenkins’ witty and moving dark comedy focuses on five friends who reunite 20 years after graduating from a high school in Prince George's County, outside of Washington, D.C. Known as the "Multi-Ethnic Reject Group," the group was once bonded by their outsider status and the traumas of their teenage years. Gathered on a porch ahead of their high school reunion, they reminisce about their younger selves over adult jungle juice and pot as they each reveal how their lives have unfolded since graduation. As the evening continues, they drink, fight, play a truth game, and lament the disappointments of their adult lives. Throughout the evening, they are haunted by a mysterious otherworldly figure that inhabits each character, forcing them to confront the possibility that their past actions may have sealed their present fates irrevocably.

Jordan Bellow - Emilio

Sarah Gliko - Katelyn

Alana Raquel Bowers - Ursula

Taysha Marie Canales - Kristina

Jaime Meseda - Francisco/Simon

In this episode, host Darnelle Radford engages with Taysha Canales to discuss the Wilma Theatre's production of 'The Comeuppance' by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. They explore themes of parenting, community support, character dynamics, and the importance of kindness in the context of the play. Taysha shares her experiences balancing motherhood with her acting career, the significance of the theater community, and the unique challenges of performing in different cities. The conversation delves into the play's exploration of human connections and the impact of the pandemic on personal relationships. In this conversation, Darnelle Radford and Taysha Canales explore the intersection of theater and politics, audience engagement, and the impact of uninterrupted storytelling. They reflect on personal connections to high school, the importance of streaming options for accessibility, and the profound themes of life and death presented in the current production. The discussion concludes with thoughts on the future of theater and the joy of sharing experiences with others.

Thank you to our guest(s), Taysha Marie Canales for joining us on today’s podcast. The Broad Street Review Podcast is An Em3ry Production. If you would like to be a guest on the podcast, visit us online at em3ry.com

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