‘The Bluest Eye’ handles difficult subjects with care

Toni Morrison is a widely acclaimed author whose bestknown work is “Beloved,” a favorite of many, including Oprah Winfrey. In 1970, her book, “The Bluest Eye,” depicted a cry from the heart of a little girl who wished to be accepted into the society of the late 1930s and early 1940s as the United States was trying very hard to avoid war.

Pecola wanted blue eyes to make her pretty and popular and loved. Just like Shirley Temple. Just like white girls. Blue eyes. Aryan eyes. A black child in the Depression and early war years who had the temerity to be noticed was naughty.

Morrison’s book and the adaptation by Lydia R. Diamond are very controversial pieces because the story has a great deal of violence and abuse. The rampant racism, rape, abusive sexual behavior and bad language is unaccountably depressing and paints a very negative picture of life during the prewar Depression period. The story is gripping, taking viewers to the edge of reality.

The production of “The Bluest Eye” by Oklahoma City University, which closed Sunday, handled the tender subject as sensitively as possible through the expert direction of Courtney DiBello. DiBello is a respected assistant professor at Oklahoma City University, and her directing and choreographic credits in the OKC area are impressive. She assembled a large cast of talented students for this show, and they all demonstrated a talent that made the subject bearable!

The set design was rather magnificent as a nonobjective surrealistic fantasy at odds with the drab environment it represents. The designer, Carleigh Wagner, a design and production junior, is a remarkable talent.

While the entire cast was excellent, certain students really shined in their roles. Pecola was the young woman wishing for eyes of blue. Her wish to be pretty was rather ironic as the young woman with the role of Pecola Breedlovewas believably played by a very beautiful and talented actress, Laura Kariuki. Her performance pulled at the heart as she spiraled into delusions resulting from her cruel life experiences. Two sisters who were her friends were Frieda and Claudia MacTeer. Claudia narrated, and Frieda demonstrated. Alyssa Peters was Claudia, and Erika Felix was her sister, Frieda. Both of these students are excellent performers, as well, exhibiting poise and skill. Mrs. Breedlove was played by Reoni Newsome expertly. This freshman has an excellent presence beyond her years.

Oklahoma City University has long been an example of excellence in performance artistry, and “The Bluest Eye” showcased the myriad talents attracted to OCU’s programs.