To See or Not to See: Feeding the Dragon

Sharon Washington spent part of her childhood (from 1969 to 1973) living in a library. Her father, George, was charged with keeping the furnace of the St. Agnes branch of the New York Public Library running for twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. So, up on the top floor of the library, there was an apartment for him to live in with his family (Sharon, her mother, Connie, her grandmother, and their dog). For a bookish young girl, this living arrangement was heaven.

As Sharon shares memories of helping her father “feed the dragon” (otherwise known as the furnace), of spending warm summer evenings on the rooftop, of having her best friend over and battling as knights among the quiet book stacks after library hours, and of getting a scholarship to attend an elite Manhattan prep school, we discover truths about her family and the racisim and classism her parents try to shelter her from. It is as if we journey with Sharon on her path from childhood innocence to knowing adulthood.

Watching the play, you won’t find yourself wishing for other actors to help her perform the piece. She channels family members, friends, and neighbors really well. It is easy to see them conjured up in the accents or body positions she switches between. And, not only are her stories incredibly enchanting and engaging, but the set (designed by Tony Ferrieri) is equally so. Beautiful shelves of books make different levels of the stage. In fact, she transitions between memories using quotes from books she pulls out of the set. I also should add that the lighting design by Ann G. Wrightson is gorgeous and subtly reflects the emotions behind these shared stories.

For any bibliophile or lover of storytelling, Sharon Washington’s autobiographical solo play, Feeding the Dragon, is an absolute delight.

Primary Stages’s production of Feeding the Dragon is at the Cherry Lane Theater. For more information, click here.

Photo Credit: James Leynse