Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White Reviews
Los Angeles Times- Somewhat Recommended
"...The Antaeus Company's skillfully staged revival brings clarity and passion to the play's lofty issues of race, class and politics, but it remains earthbound by its dated construction and overheated rhetoric."
LA Weekly- Recommended
"...This rarely produced revival delivers a blistering indictment of the South's anti-miscegenation laws against the backdrop of a deeply moving portrait of urban black life in the early 20th century. Directed by Gregg T. Daniel, the double-cast production now playing at the Antaeus Company offers some of the finest ensemble acting currently onstage (the "Sweet Potatoes" team of actors performed at the show reviewed)."
Stage Scene LA- Recommended
"...This latest from The Antaeus Company is American theater at its absolute finest."
StageHappenings.com- Recommended
"...It's a glorious production, much needed lest we forget how awful the past has been (as well as some of the present), with an exemplary cast – no weak links, per Antaeus' reputation. Foreman and Marks are exemplary; Byrd and Flaathen do not quail before the characters' racism; Harrington, a personal favorite with her wide smile and fearful eyes; Brian Abraham as a disturbed peddler; McClain's powerful presence; Bankhead's painful attacks against Julia; and Turner's bottled-up anger as a soldier belittled by whites, are painful to watch, but the characters' lives are totally fulfilled. Do not hesitate to see either cast, but do not miss this play for any reason."
ArtsInLA- Recommended
"...Director Gregg T. Daniels has assembled a fine ensemble and gives them finely nuanced direction. Jones ably captures Julia's fear of the white majority and her ultimate rebellion against it. McClain is a tower of strength as Lula, who lives in fear that her "uppity" son may fall victim of white wrath. And Byrd etches a merciless and savage portrait of Herman's irascible mother."
Neon Tommy- Recommended
"...The play gets off to a slow start, bogged down in exposition and the introduction of numerous characters. The audience is introduced to so many faces and names at once that it takes awhile to set everyone straight and know exactly who they're talking about at any given moment. However, the second act is a searing piece of theater that grips us from its first moments in its intensity and does not let go until long after the lights come up on the house."
NoHoArtsDistrict- Recommended
"...All in all, "Wedding Band," the third production of the 2014 season, is an in your face, now or never, take it or leave it, unapologetic confession. It poses more questions than it answers, and in the process inspires, illuminates and educates the still controversial topic of race in America. Antaeus deserves a great deal of credit for taking a chance on this rarely staged gem. One which will no doubt pay-off handsomely in the end, and send ripples across the pond that is the Los Angeles theatre scene. It seems all is well on Lankershim Boulevard."
LifeInLA- Recommended
"...The Antaeus Theatre has a tradition of "partner casting;" two actors share every role, working together throughout the rehearsal process to enrich the creative experience for both cast and audience. We were able to see Veralyn Jones effectively portray Julia as an anguished and weary dreamer. Jerry Prosky gives an interesting interpretation and delivery in his role as Herman. Individually and with the other cast members, Jones and Prosky relate well. It is very important for actors to relay to their audience that the love and passion of their characters is worth the sacrifice. It is a love story no different than Romeo and Juliet, Carmen Jones, Othello and Desdemona. The performance should project the tragic lovers' power, desire and thirst to overcome any obstacle."
KCRW- Recommended
"...Don't let this gem pass you by. You're not likely to get another chance to see this play done quite so well – which in itself – is a tragedy."