Ennis - Francois Battiste
Malcolm - Gaius Charles
William - Wendell Pierce
Sonia - April Yvette Thompson

The King family has gotten used to being broke. But when William King (Wendell Pierce) becomes ill with multiple sclerosis, his two sons Ennis (Francois Battiste) and Malcolm (Gaius Charles) must understand their priorities. Malcolm is the first in his family to attend college and has just finished his second degree at the University of Connecticut. He has the opportunity of continuing his education, but, with his father sick and his brother urging him to stay, he finds it difficult to reach an ultimate decision. 

Broke-ology is set in an impoverished area in Kansas City, and jumps between 1982 and 2007. The time-shifting is a tad confusing in the first act, as they are not flash-backs in the traditional sense, but rather delusions brought on by William’s multiple sclerosis. In these bouts of the past, his dead wife Sonia (April Yvette Thompson) returns, and he is taken back to the happy days when they were together, and their family growing.

The play is written by Juilliard graduate Nathan Louis Jackson, who, in an interview with Sarah Slight, said that the play “dealt with my family and some of the issues we were dealing with.” The themes of economic hardship and sacrifice emphasized in the play can be potentially very trite and uninteresting, as they have been explored in countless other plays, books, films and television programs. But because they come from the playwright’s identity, the characters and the problems they face comes across as real, making it a meaningful experience and a successful play. 

Jackson has a lot of fun with the English language. His characters are always making up new words (“incognegro” is one which comes to mind). And the social stigma behind the “n-word” is made fun of in a jolly, if politically incorrect way. However, this continuous banter between characters makes the play rather too humorous. The open-laughter and knee slapping becomes a bit tiring, making the space feel more like a bar for stand-up comedy than a theatre.

The Nikos Stage, although smaller than the Main Stage, was brought out in its full glory for Broke-ology. Because the play is set entirely within the confines of a cramped home, the especial importance of a good set was realised and taken care of by Donyale Werle.

The acting is mostly very sound, but not perfect. Wendell Pierce (William) plays with a great confidence in his rôle which kept the audience entertained and made him the star of the show. But Gaius Charles (Malcolm) who’s predicament the play is chiefly about, was often unnatural in his movements, which made his character not always so noticeable as he should be. Francois Battiste (Ennis) has a good understanding of his character’s stubbornness and brings it out accordingly. A special word of congratulations must be offered to an actor sadly unmentioned in the program – “Chauncy,” the garden gnome, who’s excellent singing voice brought a round of applause from the audience.

Broke-ology is an entertaining play, which delves into issues of importance in a country which is itself in debt. Indeed, the United States is now experiencing its highest rate of inflation in 17 years. Perhaps the ambitious young people of today should begin to consider giving up prospects of studying medicine, law and business, and major in the art of broke-ology.