Chicago playwright brings the 'HEAT'

Community members seeking shelter from the freezing winter chill can hibernate underneath the yellow-orange glow and warmth of stage lights.\nIn celebration of Black History Month, the Bloomington Playwrights Project is performing the play "HEAT," written by Chicago-native Marsha Estell and directed by New York resident Anita Gonzalez, at 8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, until Feb. 26 at the BPP, 312 S. Washington St..\nAccording to a statement from the BPP, "What better way to celebrate African-Americans in arts than to see a play written, directed and performed by African-American women?"\nBPP artistic director Richard Perez said he has connected a Midwestern play and an East Coast director with Bloomington theater talent in the hope of fulfilling the BPP's mission of community performed and produced theater. \nEstell is a Chicago Dramatists member, and "HEAT" received a nomination for the Joseph Jefferson Theatre Award for Outstanding New Work in Chicago. \n"I saw ('HEAT') last year in Chicago -- it was a world premiere," Perez said. "I read a synopsis, and it seemed a perfect fit for what we do at the BPP -- bring diverse plays to the community. I met Anita at the Lincoln Center Directors Lab in New York; I got to know her out there. I really learned to respect her aesthetic; she's been brilliant."\n"HEAT" revolves around the story of a black family of four females: grandmother Mudear, played by Gladys Devane, daughters Sharon, played by Lydia Stewart, Rose, played by newcomer Ama Boakyewa and granddaughter Shelly, played by BPP ensemble of artists member Roshaunda "Ro" Ross. \nThe story includes topics from slavery to haircut perceptions, from smoking pot to cancer; the setting includes the front porch of a traditional small town American home, with patio furniture next to the main stage.\nGonzalez, "HEAT"'s director, said she has enjoyed working with the BPP's cast and crew. She said the play is set in a realistic setting -- "in the same time and place" -- although her preferred performance style and artistic aesthetic involves "postmodern collage theater" in New York City.\n"It's nice to see the world experiences of the women pop off on stage," Gonzalez said. "('HEAT') can be seen as the world of African Americans in Bloomington or a world of artists working in the playwrights project."\nGonzalez said the most difficult challenge throughout the production thus far has been coping with Boakyewa's broken leg, which was not part of her character. She said the most rewarding aspect has been working with women of such a diverse background.\n"Casting people from the community was challenging, but I got to meet a new community of people in Bloomington," Gonzalez said. "It's been nice working with the BPP -- lovers of the art form, active socially in the community. I hope I come back again. I admire the mission of the BPP, a theater committed to putting new words on stage instead of recycling theater, finding new moments."\nPerez said the incredible hard work the entire production crew has put into the performance of "HEAT" is impressive. He said he believes the first-time performers have really grown into the roles throughout rehearsals. \n"It's really exciting to see hard work pay off like that for talented people," Perez said. "I think anytime we can expose a culture that people aren't intimately involved with, gaining insight and thought is a good thing -- it broadens our experiences and our perceptions."\nGonzalez said she hopes Bloomington residents, students and guests take advantage of "HEAT" before the weather warms and the production cools to a close.\n"Come and feel the heat on a cold winter day," Gonzalez said. "The heat is running on all emotions -- come and feel the intensity."\nTickets are $12 for students and seniors, $15 general admission and the "student rush" rate of $5 at five minutes before the show. Tickets for groups of 10 or more are $10 per person, and must be prepaid, according to a BPP statement. For reservations call 355-9001. \n-- Contact City & State Editor David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.