SunSpots: Jamaica Farewell!

 

Jamaica Farewell Fared Well!

Stephanie!
Soleil@so-LAZE.com

Mention Soleil's To-Dos for HALF PRICE tix to Jamaica Farewell on Mother's Day at 4pm! Email Suzanne Murphy (murphysuz@yahoo.com) to confirm your seat!

You'd usually expect a one-person show to be driven by the performer's celebrity status or local following.  Yet, Jamaican-born, Los Angeles-domiciled Debra Ehrhardt jumped on in and won the hearts of her audience on opening night!

Jamaica Farewell is based on Debra's true story of longing to escape Jamaica for America and her journey, which included love, loss, smuggling and a run for her life!  The performance got off to a late start (no worries, mon - it's Jamaican!) and it took a little while for Debra to find her groove.  Nonetheless, the story was engaging from the start!

Jamaica Farewell touches upon a lot: Jamaica's tumultuous history as a backdrop to Debra's plans to escape Jamaica; a childhood impacted by poverty, instability and a gambling, alcoholic father; a relationship with a CIA operative; and, assorted harrowing escapades.  Debra is undoubtedly a masterful storyteller, weaving together drama, suspense, intrigue and hilarity!  Regrettably, but understandably, it is likely that her tale was significantly edited to enable a one-woman performance, but the good news is that a screenplay is in process!

Written and performed by Debra Ehrhardt; directed by Joel Zwick.  Jamaica Farewell continues through May 27th at Chopin Theatre - Fridays and Saturdays, 8pm; Sundays, 4pm. $35-45.