Curious Theatre Company wrapped up its 27th season with the World Premiere of ‘Exhibit,’ directed by Artistic Director Jada Suzanne Dixon and written by acclaimed actress Regina Taylor.
This new work is centered around the character Iris, an established visual artist who meets with a museum representative interested in showcasing her work, albeit under conditions that risk marginalizing her identity as a Black artist.
Despite the anticipation for this premiere, audience reactions were largely negative.
Critics noted that what was marketed as a World Premiere felt more akin to a staged reading rather than a fully developed theatrical production.
Taylor, who is both the playwright and the sole performer, remained tethered to her script throughout the 90-minute show, delivering lines from a lectern rather than engaging in dynamic interaction with the audience.
Performers in one-person shows typically need to embody multiple characters; however, Taylor’s reliance on the script left little room for the necessary memorization to convincingly portray the various roles.
The production offered some creative highlights, particularly the prop designs by Wayne Breyer and Katie Hopwood, which, while visually appealing, seemed more suited to a dramatic reading than a completed play.
Costume design by Janice Benning Lacek, on the other hand, failed to enhance the characterization and instead evoked images of an elementary school art teacher.
An additional oversight was the visible scroll bar on the side of the screen, a distraction that detracted from the overall polish of the performance.
Nevertheless, ‘Exhibit’ contained valuable themes and moments of insight, particularly as Iris reflected on her childhood experiences amidst desegregation and reconnecting with an old friend.
However, critics argue that the production struggled to merge Iris’s personal narrative with the larger implications of race in America.
Key aspects such as the medium that defines Iris as an artist, her passion for art, and her journey to her current point also remained vague.
The lack of depth in these areas resulted in an unsatisfactory connection between her personal experiences and the broader themes that the piece aimed to address.
Overall, audience members expressed disappointment, feeling that Taylor’s performance fell short of its potential, transforming a seemingly relevant commentary on race in America into a presentation lacking theatrical engagement.
Disappointment was heightened due to the reputation of the Curious Theatre Company in the community, with many expecting a more polished production for the World Premiere of ‘Exhibit.’
image source from：https://www.broadwayworld.com/denver/article/Review-Framed-Not-Finished-EXHIBIT-Lacks-Theatricality-at-Curious-Theatre-20250521
