Long Beach’s ICT (International City Theatre) once again proves itself one of
our finest mid-sized theaters with their latest production, The Story, by Tracey
Scott Wilson.  As current as today’s headlines, The Story asks the question,
“How far would you be willing to go for success?”  For Yvonne, an African-
American journalist dissatisfied with her marginalized position on a major urban
daily, the answer may be to stretch or even to “invent” the facts of a breaking
news story.

When a white inner-city schoolteacher is murdered, Yvonne goes to her editor
with a sensational scoop.  But is she fabricating facts, and is she even who she
says she is? Dealing with issues of media integrity, race relations and newsroom
politics, The Story is both a gripping drama and a “Who’s telling the truth?”
mystery.

Director caryn desai clearly knows the importance of casting the right actors,
and in Jennifer Shelton, she has found the perfect actress to play Yvonne.
Known primarily for her musical theater roles, Shelton is also an accomplished
“straight” actress, and with her girl-next-door appeal, the audience’s first
reaction is to believe her, to be on her side. As the questions multiply, so does
our sense of confusion, of betrayal. Shelton hits all the right notes in a role so
unlike her usual soprano ingénues.

Judyann Elder as Yvonne’s boss Pat gives a snappy performance and Adria
Madison impresses as Latisha, a girl who may or may not exist.   The talented
trio of Tann Moore, Toi Perkins, and Tippi Thomas get to play a variety of roles,
from police detective to inner city home girls.  Jeff Marlowe, as Yvonne’s
Caucasian boyfriend, is stuck with a pretty blah role, but he is good as always.

desai has assembled a fine design team: Dan Wheeler (set), Jeremy Pivnick
(lighting), Valerie T. Bart (costumes), and Christopher Gordon Briles (sound).
The show looks good.

Once again, ICT has scored with a fine production (a West Coast Premiere), a
fascinating story, and an outstanding lead performance by Jennifer Shelton.  I
very much enjoyed this behind the scenes glimpse at journalistic ambition
gone out of control.
APRIL 2006

--Steven Stanley