Act three notes

Beneatha tells Asagai a story from her childhood explaining by she decided she wanted to become a doctor because she wanted to take care of people

Beneatha tells Asaigi Walter gave away all the money

Mama does not want the movers to come and orders everyone to start unpacking

Walter decides not to take on the offer the white people presented

Asiagi asked Beneatha to marry him

Beneatha wants to marry Asagai but Walter wants her to marry George which stars an argument

The final scene is of mama looking at her plant

My Thoughts on Mamma Mia!

I viewed Cheshire Academy’s production of Mamma Mia in the black box theater on Wednesday, February 26th. The musical was directed by Ms. Guarino and starred Elena Parkerson as Donna, Audra Foti as Sophie, Olivia Williamson as Rosie, Jane Golden as Tanya, Jackson Rafferty as Sam, Tony Wang as Harry, Nate Biller as Bill and Trevor Hampson as Sky.

The story takes place at Donna’s hotel on a Greek island. Her daughter, 20-year-old Sophie sends letters in the mail prior to her wedding day. These letters are sent to the three men from Sophie’s mother’s past. She sends these letters in order to secretly invite them all to her wedding with the goal of finally learning which one is her real father so she can be walked down the aisle by him on her wedding day. As Donna is preparing for her daughter Sophie’s wedding with her old two friends, she realizes Sam, Harry, and Bill, three men from her past have all arrived at her hotel on the Greek Islands for her daughter’s wedding. 

The director's note explained how the show hoped to be bright, colorful, and fun. After seeing Mamma Mia come to life it was clear that the show indeed had all of these qualities. One example of this was that the black box no longer had black walls but was transformed into appearing as we were on the Greek islands. There were tons of sparkles and bright colored costumes worn by the cast. A major theme that was shown in Sophie's storyline of Mama Mia was finding her identity. This is shown in the musical as Sophie is shown to believe that when she meets her dad everything will fall into place so she can discover what made her the person she is.

The most memorable moment to me as a viewer was when Tanya (Jane) and Pepper (Willjam) were performing “Does Your Mama Know”. This is one of my favorite songs/scenes in the movie because I think it is very comedic. It was a very fun experience for me to see kids from my school performing this scene. Another moment I really enjoyed was watching the boys (+ Kamden & Ruth) pop up in scuba diver outfits during the performance of “Lay All Your Love On Me”. I really enjoyed this performance because I thought it was really funny to see those costumes and it was also very comedic on stage.

The actor I think did the best was Elena. She made her character seem very believable and did a fantastic job singing when she had lost her voice all week. She was very believable to be Donna and portrayed her personality extremely well. The way she made her voice sound was to create the same tone we would imagine Donna speaking in. 

Some of the things I learned about theater from watching this performance was how the black box can be transformed into an entirely different setting. I had not known about a black box until I arrived at Cheshire Academy. I think it is a very good type of stage for musicals because you are able to repaint the walls to any backdrop you need. It is a very adaptable type of stage.

Overall, I really enjoyed watching the production of Mamma Mia. I thought it was bright, colorful and extremely enjoyable for the entire audience as well as myself. I really enjoyed the musical because a lot of my friends participated in it so It was very fun to watch them all perform.

Act 2 Scene 2 Notes

George tries to kiss Beneatha but she moves away

George heavily implies that guys don’t want girls for their personality but instead for their looks

Beneatha is appreciative of her Mama for understanding her

The Youngers do NOT like Mrs. Johnson

Mrs. Johnson informs the youngers that in the news that colored people were bombed out of their place

Mama informs Mrs. Johnson that they are not intending to get bombed by moving away

Mrs. Johnson tells Mama that she is going to pray to God that nothing bad will happen to them

Mrs. Johnson feels Benatha was rude to her but Mama defends Benatha by saying she had to go to the bathroom

Mrs. Johnson tells the Youngers that Benatha was the only one in the family to make something of herself

Mama and Mrs. Johnson never really agree

Ruth tries to talk behind Mrs. Jonsons back once she leaves but Mama makes her stop

Ruth lies to Walters boss saying he has been very sick

Ruth informs Walter that if he does not go to work the following day that they are going to replace him

Ruth is very concerned that Walter is going to lose his job but Walter is not as concerned

Mama tells Walter she now trusts him with the money

Travis immediately thinks Walter is drunk

Walter speaks to Travis in a very sweet tone

Walter wants Travis to have bigger dreams than being a bus driver like daddy

Walter tells Travis his dreams about becoming wealthy

Character Notes

Walter Lee Younger
Nickname: Father, Brother
Sounds very manly and when he talks he wants people to know he is in control
Tall dark and handsome
Husband of Ruth, Son of Mama, Brother of Benatha and Father of Travis
He really wants his liquor store and that is the main conflict because mama won't give the money to him
Angry, Sad and Disappointed
The backstory is that he is worried about all the money problems and wants the insurance check
His dream, money, and family are things he really cares about
The ultimate dream is to open the liquor store in order to provide for his character

Beneatha Younger
Nicknames: Benny, sister
20 years old
Lean and intellectual face and thick face
Her walk is light because she is young
Her speech is different from the rest of her family
She has a good relationship with mama and is neutral with ruth and Travis but there is tension with Walter
She is not super close to any of her family members
She sleeps with mama in her bedroom
She goes to school and wants to become a doctor
She will hopefully contribute in the future if she becomes a doctor
Annoyed, Frustrated
She likes to argue for fun with Walter just to make him mad
She questions Christianity
She has her friend Asagi over
She is very stubborn

Mama Younger “Something always told me I wasn’t no rich white woman.” She is very religious, wise, keeps her family stable, has a small temper, wants a larger house and is hardworking Song: Everything we Need	Ruth Younger “I was quiet, but I was not blind” She is an African American woman, who is pregnant. Her voice is quiet but stern knows what she is saying and gets to the point.  Song: Stronger by Kelly Clarkson
Walter Younger “I got a $100 here for food and $1400 here for liquor He is loud, loving, busy and strict  Song: liquor store blues	Beneatha Younger “That money belongs to Mama, Walter, and it’s for her to decide how she wants to use it.” She is short, has short curly dark hair, skinny, raspy and high pitched and always sounds sarcastic  Song: I Wanna Go to School

Ruth Character Study

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X-X93AWiNS9emLfz0My6ipX3PqwvUTkLjhMTI87pc6o/edit?usp=sharing

Scene 2 Notes

Setting

The scene opens and they are cleaning the house. Furniture has been moved and MAMA is giving the kitchen-area walls a washing down. The house is a mess and Mama does not want Asagi to come over

Characters

Ruth Pregnant Wants to get rid of the baby Stressed Bad relationship with her husband The money excites her but she knows it’s Mamas Walter He does not want to communicate with his sister (how should I know!) Is very upset that he is not getting the money to open the liquor store Is very rude towards Ruth as he does not allow her to go outside with him Mama tells him he is a disgrace to the family Travis Needs to ask for permission (Grandmama, Can I go downstairs, please? Responsible (all his chores are done) Likes to play outside (He darts into the bedroom for stickball and bat) Is easily excited Tries to be defiant towards mama Beneatha Disrespects Mama by not asking if Asagi could come over She has strong feelings for Asagi Thinks Mama is ignorant Curios about Ruths baby Mama Protective of Travis Sexist Polite with guests Mad towards Walter Worried about what is happening with Walter Mad that Ruth wants to get rid of the baby Asagi Respectful Polite Cares deeply about Beneatha

Reactions

Mama wants to protect Travis from knowing what happened to Ruth She had to go on a little errand …. Oh, I guess so. You stay right in front of the house, though, and keep a good lookout for the postman. Benetha invites Asagi over without Mama's approval and mama does not want Asagi there because the house is a mess. MAMA (Who has listened vigorously, as is her habit) Who is that you inviting over here with this house looking like this? You ain’t got the pride you was born with! BENEATHA Asagai doesn’t care how houses look, Mama— he’s an intellectual. Ruth announces she is pregnant and Mama and Benetha are very excited about it MAMA Lord have mercy, I sure hope it’s a little old girl. Travis ought to have a sister. (BENEATHA and RUTH give her a hopeless look for this grandmotherly enthusiasm) BENEATHA How far along are you? RUTH Two months. BENEATHA Did you mean to? I mean did you plan it or was it an accident? MAMA What do you know about planning or not planning? BENEATHA Oh, Mama. RUTH (Wearily) She’s twenty years old, Lena. BENEATHA Did you plan it, Ruth? RUTH Mind your own business. BENEATHA It is my business—where is he going to live, on the roof? (There is silence following the remark as the three women react to the sense of it) Gee—Ididn’tmean that, Ruth, honest. Gee, I don’t feel like that at all. I—I think it is wonderful. RUTH (Dully) Wonderful. Mama does not trust the opinion of the woman doctor Ruth saw MAMA (Looking at RUTH, worried) Doctor say everything going to be all right? RUTH (Far away) Yes—she says everything is going to be fine... MAMA (Immediately suspicious) “She”—What doctor you went to? Travis gets very excited about simple things Excited and full of narrative, coming directly to his mother) Mama, you should of seen the rat ... Big as a cat, honest! (He shows an exaggerated size with his hands) Gaaleee, that rat was really cuttin’ and Bubber caught him with his heel and the janitor, Mr. Barnett, got him with a stick—and then they got him in a corner and— BAM! BAM! BAM!—and he was still jumping around and bleeding like everything too—there’s rat blood all over the street— Beneatha is very happy to have Asagi there and it could be inferred she has feelings for him Oh, my God—that must be Asagai. Beneatha told Asagi she was happy he was back and he was shocked BENEATHA (Looking at him) Asagai, I’m very glad you are back. ASAGAI (Looking back at her in turn) Are you really? BENEATHA Yes—very. ASAGAI Why?—you were quite glad when I went away. What happened? BENEATHA You went away. ASAGAI Ahhhhhhhh. BENEATHA Before—you wanted to be so serious before there was time. ASAGAI How much time must there be before one knows what one feels? Mama becomes very polite when Asagi is there and is embarrassed by how the house looks (MAMA enters and is immediately all social charm because of the presence of a guest) BENEATHA Oh—Mama—this is Mr. Asagai. MAMA How do you do? ASAGAI (Total politeness to an elder) How do you do, Mrs. Younger. Please forgive me for coming at such an outrageous hour on a Saturday. MAMA Well, you are quite welcome. I just hope you understand that our house don’t always look like this. Beneatha gets worried about the meaning behind the nickname Asagi gives her ASAGAI Oh—“Alaiyo.” I hope you don’t mind. It is what you would call a nickname, I think. It is a Yoruba word. I am a Yoruba. MAMA (Looking at BENEATHA) I—I thought he was from— (Uncertain) ASAGAI (Understanding) Nigeria is my country. Yoruba is my tribal origin— BENEATHA YOU didn’t tell us what Alaiyo means ... for all I know, you might be calling me Little Idiot or something ... ASAGAI Well ... let me see ... I do not know how just to explain it ... The sense of a thing can be so different when it changes languages. BENEATHA You’re evading. ASAGAI No—really it is difficult ... (Thinking) It means ... it means One for Whom Bread—Food—Is Not Enough. (He looks at her) Is that all right? BENEATHA (Understanding, softly) Thank you. Mama does not allow Travis to be defiant MAMA (Coming back into the room) She’s resting now. Travis, baby, run next door and ask Miss Johnson to please let me have a little kitchen cleanser. This here can is empty as Jacob’s kettle. TRAVIS I just came in. MAMA Do as you told. (He exits and she looks at her The money arrives and everyone in the family is extremely excited except for Mama MAMA (Still staring at it) Now don’t act silly ... We ain’t never been no people to act silly ’bout no money— RUTH (Swiftly) We ain’t never had none before—OPEN IT! Walter is told by Mama that he is not getting the money and therefore he becomes very upset. He is heading to go outside and Ruth wants to come with him but he is rude towards her and will not allow it RUTH Where you going? WALTER I’m going put! RUTH Where? WALTER Just out of this house somewhere—RUTH (Getting her coat) I’ll come too. WALTER I don’t want you to come! RUTH I got something to talk to you about, Walter.WALTER That’s too bad. Mama feels something is wrong with Walter deeper than not getting the money WALTER Matter with me? Ain’t nothing the matter with me! MAMA Yes there is. Something eating you up like a crazy man. Something more than me not giving you this money. The past few years I been watching it happen to you. You get all nervous acting and kind of wild in the eyes— (WALTER jumps up impatiently at her words) I said sit there now, I’m talking to you! WALTER Mama—I don’t need no nagging at me today. Walter is trying to convince Mama that he is not seeing another woman MAMA You done found it in some other house? WALTER No—there ain’t no woman! Why do women always think there’s a woman somewhere when a man gets restless. (Picks up the check) Do you know what this money means to me? Do you know what this money can do for us? (Puts it back) Mama—Mama—I want so many things ... MAMA Yes, son— Mama tries to explain to Walter that times have changed and he is worried about things much less important that she had to worry about MAMA No ... something has changed. (She looks at him) You something new, boy. In my time we was worried about not being lynched and getting to the North if we could and how to stay alive and still have a pinch of dignity too . Mama tells Walter he is a disgrace Your wife say she going to destroy your child. And I’m waiting to hear you talk like him and say we a people who give children life, not who destroys them—(She rises) I’m waiting to see you stand up and look like your daddy and say we done give up one baby to poverty and that we ain’t going to give up nary another one ... I’m waiting. WALTER Ruth— (He can say nothing) MAMA If you a son of mine, tell her! (WALTER picks up his keys and his coat and walks out. She continues, bitterly) You ... you are a disgrace to your father’s memory. Somebody get me my hat!

ARITS Scene 1 Notes

Setting

The story takes place Sometime between World War II and the present in Chicago’s Southside. The living room is mostly a comfortable and well-ordered room. The furniture is typical and average, and it has to accommodate the large amount of people who have lived there over the years. You can tell the furniture was selected with care and was arranged very lovingly into the apartment. Now the living room was very worn and used out. There is a small kitchen area, where the family prepares meals that are eaten in the living room which can often also serve as a dining room.

Characters

Ruth Mother of Travis & Beneatha Wife of Walter Tired 30 years old Attractive woman Strict Can get angry when people don't do exactly what she wants the first time Cautious of money Extremely thin Walter Husband of Ruth Father of Travis & Beneatha Lean young man in his middle thirties Has quick nervous movements and erratic speech habits Impatient Generous Travis Son of Ruth & Walter Brother of Beneatha Handsome ten year old little boy Wants to work Ruth calls him slubborn   Beneatha Daughter of Ruth & Walter Sister of Travis Tells it like it is Independent Wants to be something important Mama Name is Lena In her early sixties Dark-brown face with completely white hair She is a beautiful woman Her speech is very careless as she slurs many words Has a check for 10,000 dollars

Reactions

You can tell very early on that there is a lot of stress with money in the family  WALTER (Wandering in, still more oriented to sleep than to a new day) Well, what was you doing all that yelling for if I can’t even get in there yet? (Stopping and thinking) Check coming today? RUTH They said Saturday and this is just Friday and I hopes to God you ain’t going to get up here first thing this morning and start talking to me ’bout no money—’cause I ’bout don’t want to hear it.  RUTH Sit down and have your breakfast, Travis. TRAVIS Mama, this is Friday. (Gleefully) Check coming tomorrow, huh? RUTH You get your mind off money and eat your breakfast. TRAVIS (Eating) This is the morning we supposed to bring the fifty cents to school. RUTH Well, I ain’t got no fifty cents this morning. TRAVIS Teacher say we have to. RUTH I don’t care what teacher say. I ain’t got it. Eat your breakfast, Travis. There appears to be stress and anger in Ruth and Walter's relationship. This could possibly be foreshadowing something happening with them later on.   RUTH No—I’m just sleepy as the devil. What kind of eggs you want? WALTER Not scrambled, (RUTH starts to scramble eggs)   (He rises and finds a cigarette in her handbag on the table and crosses to the little window and looks out, smoking and deeply enjoying this first one)RUTH (Almost matter of factly, a complaint too automatic to deserve emphasis) Why you always got to smoke before you eat in the morning?   TRAVIS (Quickly, to the ally) I have to—she won’t gimme the fifty cents ... WALTER (To his wife only) Why not? RUTH (Simply, and with flavor) ’Cause we don’t have it. WALTER (To RUTH only) What you tell the boy things like that for? (Reaching down into his pants with a rather important gesture) Here, son— (He hands the boy the coin, but his eyes are directed to his wife’s, TRAVIS takes the money happily) TRAVIS Thanks, Daddy. (He starts out. RUTH watches both of them with murder in her eyes. WALTER stands and stares back at her with defiance, and suddenly reaches into his pocket again on an afterthought)