To See or Not to See: Eclipsed

“Eclipsed” just opened on Broadway after a sold-out run at the Public Theater. It’s a fascinating, horrifying look at how war affects women in the most brutal ways. Having said that, it’s also a play that’s full of surprisingly comic, light moments. The play manages to balance light and dark with ease–a real feat, accomplished with the help of an amazing all-female cast and writer Danai Gurira (yes, of Walking Dead fame) and director Liesl Tommy.

The story centers around five women during the waning days of Liberia’s second civil war. Three of the main characters are “wives” to one of the rebels’ commanders–the youngest being only 15 years old, as played by the luminous Lupita Nyong’o (who was essentially unrecognizable to me in this role–the way she inhabits a teenage girl is eerily realistic). This play casts a harsh spotlight on how women are part of the spoils of war, and how different women react to their objectification and being in an overpoweringly male world.

The main struggle lies between Helena, “Wife #1,” and Maima, “Wife #2.” While Helena has accepted the role of being Wife #1, Maima reacted to being taken as a sex slave by taking the only way out besides death: joining the fighters. She waves a machine gun around casually and yet you are fully aware that she knows the power she wields. The struggle comes to a head over Lupita’s character, who has no name but “the Girl.” Maima entices the Girl to join the soldiers, telling her it’s the only way she’ll ever have power, while Helena begs the Girl not to go down that dark path.

Every performance is superb in this play. I went to a preview show, where they had a few issues with sound, but I’m certain that those kinks have been worked out since the official premiere March 6.

I cannot recommend “Eclipsed” highly enough. It’s an edifying, important, entertaining show that will have you glued to your seat.

“Eclipsed” runs through June 19th at the Golden Theater.

Header Photo Credit: Golden Theater/Broadway.com