Women, war and the Congo

When dirty miners or sweaty soldiers enter Mama Nadi’s brothel in the remote Congolese jungle, Mama insists they check their weapons at the bar. No shooting, no brawling, no talk about the brutal civil war. That stuff stays outside. Mama Nadi runs a happy place that offers beer (sometimes, it is even chilled, when the generator is working), girls (take your pick) and music.

Each of Mama’s girls has a story. Most came from good backgrounds, but were gang-raped by soldiers, and/or mutilated for amusement. Having been thus “ruined” (the title of this 2009 Pultizer Prize-winning play by Lynn Nottage), these women suffered the further humiliation of being cast out by family and neighbors. Mama Nadi’s may be a whorehouse, but at least there is food, and—arguably—a higher degree of safety than exists in the jungle outside, where rebels and government troops are engaged in an endless bloodletting.

Images Theatre Company, which has been staging African-American plays on a wing and a prayer for years, takes on a very ambitious project here: a cast of 18, a professional director (Buddy Butler), five musicians, dancing. And while the play contains a love story (of all things!), much of the subject matter is grim, with a tangible sense of menace (especially when tall, dour, ruthless Commander Osembenga, well-played by professional actor Dell Grooms, comes to call).

Sacramento’s Lisa Lacy (another pro) is memorable as Mama Nadi, a tough-minded businesswoman, but fair, in her fashion. Ediambolo Lokoto is the pretty but deeply pained Sophie—she’s educated and reads aloud for the working girls, and the scene in which they giggle over a romance novel is marvelous.

Needless to say, there are times when the show comes up short—it has a reach that exceeds its grasp, and a few scenes sputtered during last Sunday’s opening. But while the show has ungainly aspects, this project nonetheless gets airborne and captivates the audience. We’ll award extra points to Images for making a huge effort—and taking some risks—while presenting this recent prize-winner on a local stage.