Black Cypress Bayou

Black Cypress Bayou, by Kristen Adele Calhoun, is a suspenseful dark comedy-drama set against the sweltering backdrop of East Texas during the turbulent days of the COVID-19 pandemic. This all-female production allows the audience to peek into the boyou life of the Manifold women, led by the matriarch Vernita and her two daughters, the rule-following, hand-sanitizing LadyBird and the spirited, streetwise RaeMeka, as they gather at a secluded fishing spot in the bayou's wilderness. LadyBird, the first to arrive, is resolutely committed to adhering to COVID-19 protocols. Cloaked in a mask and determined to avoid physical contact, while maintaining a six-foot distance. When her mother, Vernita, makes her entrance, LadyBird inquires about the whereabouts of her fishing pole and asks why she brought a basket. Vernita instructs LadyBird to call her sister, RaeMeka, so they can convene for a family meeting to discuss why she is holding a basket.

As the two women argue, LadyBird sees blood smeared across her mother's hands and is horrified when she discovers that the basket has the severed head of Clayton Rutherford, the town's wealthiest and most corrupt white man, who also happens to be the family's former employer. When RaeMeka arrives at the bayou, her initial amazement quickly turns to panic, fearing that, with them being black, they could all go to prison, the trio frantically discusses ways to dispose of the head. The drama quickens when a security guard, Taysha, overhears them plotting to dispose of the head and brings into play a hidden, deep-seated family secret their mother has never revealed. After many unsuccessful attempts to reach out, Taysha finally seizes the opportunity to speak with Vernita about her past and the connections it holds for her. She gestures for Vernita to share her story, urging her to reveal her true identity to her daughters. Without revealing crucial details, Vernita shares her hidden secret, revealing that she is related to Taysha, shocking her daughters and setting in motion how they are all involved in the hidden secrets within the bayou.

With laughter and wit, Calhoun's Black Cypress Bayou artfully explores the darker sides of guilt, ancestral trauma, supernatural retribution, land rights, systemic injustice, and those involved in an oppressive societal system. Under the direction of Ericka Ratcliff, the narrative is both playful and nuanced, shedding light on the complex fears that surround the experiences of Black individuals when considering calling the police, capturing the deep-seated distrust and historical violence that have pervaded many Black communities, which Calhoun's play skillfully invites the audience to engage these profound and often uncomfortable truths.

The bayou itself acts as a mystical character, where the veil between the living and the ancestors feeds into the hypothesis that the past is never truly buried, as evidenced by Taysha. Calhoun uses the swampy bayou as a backdrop for a spiritual sanctuary, representing liminal spaces where Black people found refuge. Taysha's enigmatic presence opens a pathway for the Manifold family to seek reparations, offering them a unique opportunity to confront and reshape their family's storied past and its enduring legacy. The all-female cast, led by the outstanding talents of Michelle Renee Bester (LadyBird), Rita Wicks (RaeMeka), RJW Mays (Vernita), and Jyreika Guest as Taysha, delivered a truly engaging and captivating performance that made this 90-minute production a true find.

With an air of mystery on all the characters, The Definition Theatre version of Black Cypress Bayou will leave audiences wondering who actually killed Clayton Rutherford, as if each holds a piece of the puzzle regarding his death. Or was it ancestral justice? It raises an intriguing question: how can you kill bigotry? His death is more about the killing of generational curses, poverty, and the healing of the past. The play's ending provides a cleansing. The sisters, LadyBird and RaeMeeka, reached a pivotal moment, shedding the mask of fear and embracing their newfound truth with celebration. Taysha helps Verita release her internal pain and guilt through a poignant series of dropping rocks into a puddle of water, with the question, "What would you lay aside?"

I would have liked to see whether the audience would have shared what they would have laid aside, similar to what happened at the Geffen Playhouse. That would have been a powerful climax to this enthralling play.

⭐⭐⭐1/2 STARS

Definition Theatre

Black Cypress Bayou

By Kristen Adele Calhoun

Directed by Ericka Ratcliff

February 13 - March 15, 2026

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