Brothers and Sisters: Acting Out

For my friend V, who's an accomplished actress, it was no thing to spend parts of the last two weekends at the iconic Public Theater on Lafayette, but for me it was a wonder. She scored tickets for us to see a trilogy of works called the Brother/Sister Plays.

It's been a while since I saw so much staged work and in so little time. Add to that, she got us backstage access to meet and chat with the handsome and insanely talented playwright, 29-yo Tarell McCraney, and the cast of equally talented actors, as Oskar Eustis nibbled on pizza nearby before jumping on his bike homeward.

The plays, which borrow liberally from Yoruba legend, follow brothers Ogun and Oshoosi Size, and a satellite of orbiting characters from Elegba to Oshun. Set in the Louisiana bayou, the dialogue has a rich, contemporary flavor. McCraney can weave in laugh-out-loud references to G-Unit and Ralph Tresvant, even while exploring themes like black male sexuality.

So inspiring being in the company of bright, young, black, M.F.A.-having actors, V (fresh off Ruined) included. You must see these plays, I'd recommend seeing Part II if you can't do both. (Thru Dec. 13)