Seven

Reviewed by Nikki Munoz
ÉLAN Ensemble
Through December 16

In Seven, women’s voices are front and center. A collaboration of seven playwrights (Paula Cizmar, Catherine Filloux, Gail Kriegel, Carol K. Mack, Ruth Margraff, Anna Deavere Smith and Susan Yankowitz), the play depicts the true stories of seven women who stood up to injustice in their home countries in order to improve the lives of women and girls. Directed by Natsuko Ohama, with movement direction by Stephanie Shroyer, the production at Atwater Village Theatre is staged with precision and thoughtfulness.

Seven is driven by a strong ensemble, with each actress fully embodying the woman she portrays. While some of the scenes are too short — seven complex stories are squeezed into a tight 75 minutes — the performers make the most of the few scenes they have. Claudia Elmore, who plays Anabella De Leon, and Ukamaka Izuchi, who plays Hafsat Abiola, infuse an especially compelling vitality into their performances. Both bring depth and authenticity to their weighty tales of hardship, while managing to get the audience to laugh along as they tell their stories.

Ohama’s handling of onstage movement is problematic, however. The stage is small and cramped, and while there are many smooth flowing moments in which multiple actors interweave, there are other times when the movement or positioning is awkward — the actors’ backs are to the audience or they are blocking each other.

The play is, for the most part, a series of compelling monologues enhanced by outstanding technical elements. The lighting (Derek Christiansen is subtle but powerful, a seamless match to the wavering tones of the women’s words. The sound (Stephen George) adds texture to these stories, as when Marina Pisklakova-Parker (Yelena Podkolzina) receives a threatening email from a man unhappy with her life’s work. These technical elements add depth to an otherwise simple set up where each actor performs alone on stage.

Seven’s real accomplishment is in spotlighting people who, while not well-known, have done exemplary work in the service of gender equality. Their stories deserve to be heard and celebrated — and that is what Seven is all about.

Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., Atwater Village; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; through Dec. 16. (310) 990-2023 or https://www.performingartslive.com/Events/Seven-Atwater-Village-Theatre. Running time: 75 minutes with no intermission.