The Great Jheri Curl Debate

Reviewed by Julia Stier

East West Players

Through October 9

RECOMMENDED

Magical realism, race relations, and a heartfelt story all in one, The Great Jheri Curl Debate by Inda Craig-Galván packs an emotional punch, while still leaving room for plenty of quirkiness and wit.

When Veralynn (Julanne Chidi Hill) hangs up her hairdresser’s apron in exchange for working the retail side of cosmetology, she finds herself employed at a Korean-owned, Black beauty supply shop. Dubbed “Julie” by the store’s owner, Mr. Kim (Ryun Yu), Veralynn, and Mr. Kim navigate a slow-budding friendship, cultural differences, and their own complicated lives.

But it wouldn’t be a Craig-Galván play if there wasn’t some aspect of magic – so cue the talking posters. Huge props to projection designer Hsuan-Kuang Hsieh for pulling that one off.

This play, under the direction of Scarlett Kim, hits you right in the feels, in all the best ways. And while the overall tone of the piece is uplifting, the script does not shy away from conflict, openly discussing the racism both the Korean and the African-American communities face, sometimes from each other. But it is the show’s unique combination of conflict and compassion that makes the story so compelling.

Hill and Yu as Veralynn and Mr. Kim, respectively, bring such heart to the characters, that you can’t help but fall a little bit on love with them.  Mr. Kim is an artist trapped in a businessman’s body, driven to the profession by his own personal grief. Yu captures this duality, allowing the light to shine through the cracks in Mr. Kim’s tough exterior. Veralynn is a woman trying to survive, with a child at home and a dying dream, and Hill presents a woman as sensitive as she is sassy.

And there are those dang posters. Featuring pictures of Jheri Redding (Ray Baker), the self-proclaimed “inventor” of the Jheri Curl, and two trendy models, Lorraine (Mildred Marie Langford) and Marvin (Bruce Lemon Jr.), these figures won’t allow Veralynn to leave well enough alone. They serve as her inner thoughts personified, urging her to live up to her potential.

The joy of this show comes from watching the two leads peel back their preconceived notions of one another. Rarely do we get to see a story about a man and woman that doesn’t end in a passionate kiss. This story doesn’t have that. It doesn’t need it. 

David Henry Hwang Theater, 120 Judge John Aiso St. Los Angeles; Thurs., Fri., Mon. 8 pm; Sat., 2 & 8 pm; Sun., 5 pm; thru Oct. 9. https://eastwestplayers.org; Run time about an hour and a half, with no intermission.