“OAK” Thrills at Alleyway Theatre: A Powerful Tale of Fear, Family, and Folklore

OAK is presented by the Alleyway Theatre, starring Ember Tate Steele, Dasia Cervi, PK Fortson, and VerNia Sharisse Garvin. Alleyway is located at 1 Curtain Up Alley, Buffalo, NY, and runs through November 15. For schedule and tickets call 716-852-2600 or visit alleyway.com.

THUMBNAIL SKETCH: OAK is a haunting new Southern Gothic thriller written by Terry Guest about three cousins, Pickle, Big Man, and Suga. Pickle, a fierce and feisty teen, along with her sweet, but exhausting 9-year-old brother Big Man, and their anxious, tough cousin Suga, navigate the rainy season, where over a dozen children have already gone missing.

RUNTIME: Approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.

THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY AND THE PRODUCTION: When Chris Handley, Alleyway’s Artistic Director, told me several months ago that he was bringing OAK to the theatre, I was intrigued. As he went on to describe the play to me, it certainly sounded like a piece I would be interested in and piqued my curiosity. When this exceptional cast was announced, it really ignited my interest further, and I knew I had to see it. I have been an ardent admirer of Ms. Tate Steele, Mr. Fortson, and Ms. Garvin, having seen them in almost every production they have been in since 2021. Casting rising star Ms. Cervi, fresh off her triumphant portrayal of Effie White in the recent Ansari-Saxon production of Dreamgirls, put me over the top. I have had the privilege and pleasure of seeing her professional theatre debut and watching her grow in every role she has done since. This is her first nonmusical role, and she proves why she is a force to be reckoned with on stage in any production she is a part of. More on the cast in a minute.

The Alleyway Theatre and its incredible production team never cease to impress and amaze me with how they can transform that space into almost anything they want. In recent years, every time I walk into that theatre, I am dazzled by what they can achieve; they are masters at creating new environments, and with chameleon-like wonder, they transport and envelop the space around you so you are drawn in to the story right from the get-go.

Shout-outs to Scenic Designer, Justin Lahue, for creating a versatile set that moves from Pickle and her family’s home, to Suga’s room, to the woods and creek. Alleyway’s Technical Director, and Oak’s Lighting and Sound Designer, Emma Schimminger, has really outdone herself; the chilling sound effects and clever, cinematic lighting provide the perfect atmosphere for an eerie evening of theatre. Costume Designer E.L. Hohn and Prop Designer Quincey Miracle’s contributions blend perfectly with the mood and story. There are plenty of moving parts to this piece, and the stage manager extraordinaire, Kim Neiss, keeps everything moving seamlessly.

OAK is directed by Dawn M. Simmons, who clearly understands the material and can tell a compelling, thrilling, and terrifying story. Ms. Simmons is a perfect advocate for OAK and its characters; she has drawn out some extraordinary and memorable performances from her cast. Intensity and fear pervade this fast-moving, tight piece; you are never bored. Simmons has been able to effectively grab you by the lapels and take you on this wild ride. The characters are likable, sympathetic, and three-dimensional.

Ember Tate Steele, who gave an outstanding performance in Irish Classical Theatre Company’s production of The Loved Ones recently, turns in another beautifully poignant and expressive performance. She has the body language and tone of a usual, energetic teen, who rolls her eyes and shrugs when her Mom, Peaches, commands her to do something. There is an urgency to her performance, and she brings both the fun, playfulness of Pickle, but also masterfully conveys the abject fear and horror her character is feeling when she feels she is being pursued by the red-eyed swamp monster.

PK Fortson as Big Man is charming and delightful. He has that little-brother energy, mischievous, pestering, but kind and lovable. This is another sharp portrayal as Mr. Fortson is an adult actor portraying a 9-year-old here. He has great physicality on stage, and he talks, reacts, and moves like a kid convincingly.

Dasia Cervi plays Suga; she is the cousin of Pickle and Big Man, and while she has less stage time, she makes the most of her few scenes. Ms. Cervi’s Suga is the first of our main characters to see Odella’s red eyes pierce through the dark night; without many words her emotive face expresses the haunted and hunted inner terror that is scaring the hell out of her.

The divine VerNia Sharisse Garvin portrays Peaches, the mother of Pickle and Big Man. Peaches is a young woman who had big dreams, but instead of pursuing them and leaving the small town, she became a mother at 16 and went to work at a local burger joint, where she is still employed (when we meet her). Ms. Garvin is grounded and completely believable as a caring, hip, single, hard-working Mom. Garvin as Peaches really anchors the production. It’s almost like she is not acting at all, effortless and completely real. VerNia Garvin, doubling as Miss Temple, sits on the porch of her house, seemingly 24 hours a day, with a shotgun, keeping vigilant and chewing up the scenery. The dialogue between Pickle (Tate Steele) and Temple snaps, crackles, and pops with deliciousness. Ms. Garvin demonstrates her tremendous versatility as an actor by switching gears between Peaches and Temple, employing distinct body language, movement, and voice for each character, slipping into each role with command and ease.

OAK is a thought-provoking, heart-pounding gothic thriller perfect for the spooky season.

Playwright Terry Guest is a unique voice in American theatre; his work is unapologetically Black, and his dialogue sizzles, especially when delivered by the capable actors voicing it. His characters feel very authentic, relatable, and vividly drawn.  Guest’s writing keeps you on the edge of your seat with humor and horror.

I highly recommend that you see OAK. It’s a hair-raising, scary, thrilling, funny, and even heartbreaking tale. You will vacillate between laughs and shrieks. OAK tells a great story both magically and realistically; until the very final scenes, the piece’s natural and supernatural elements all weave together and keep you guessing.

It is one of the better plays I have seen recently, and I now understand Chris Handley, Alleyway’s Executive Artistic Director’s, enthusiasm and excitement. This production is not to be missed.