"Saint Lucy's Eyes" starts with a thunderstorm, a teenage girl, and an old woman on a rain soaked night in 1968. What follows is riveting interplay between strong characters against a gripping historical background, featuring a tour de force performance by Ruby Dee.
Bridgette A. Wimberly's drama portrays the desperation of unwanted pregnancies and illegal abortions against the civil unrest of the sanitation workers' strike in Memphis, Tenn., taking place just before the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. With homespun warmth, deft skill, and forceful admonition, Dee, as "Grandma," prepares the frightened teen for an abortion. She inspires her young charge to pursue a future on uncharted horizons, but also keeps a terrible secret from her involving the baby's father.
As the teenager, Toks Olagundoye expertly captures the conflicting feelings of terror, defiance, and doubt. In Act Two, which jumps forward in time to 1980, she is a young lawyer who returns to help Dee, who is now on trial for attempted murder. The secret Dee kept back in 1968 now, of course, comes out.
One of the most highly charged scenes of the play occurs at the top of Act Two between Dee's character and an impetuous and insensitive young woman, played fervently by Sally A. Stewart, who arrives demanding an abortion. Although the procedure is now legal, she is far along in her pregnancy and wants to avoid going to a doctor. The old woman refuses, referring her to a nearby clinic. Ultimately, their conflict leads to tragedy.
The juxtaposition of the civil rights and pro-choice movements works to great effect. The play's sole weakness is the clash between Dee and her husband, which is not convincing. Played earnestly by Willis Burks II, he is underdeveloped and stereotypical.
Billie Allen's direction seamlessly unites the historical and personal dramas. Beowulf Borritt's set is full of wonderful detail, while Jane Reisman's lighting effects, suggesting rain, add poignancy and heightened mood.
Playwright Wimberly is a real find and someone to watch.