Crystal Lee
Arts Desk Writer

"Yesterday" was the implicit theme suggested throughout African American Theater Arts Troupe's (AATAT) most recent production - Long Time Since Yesterday. The powerful performance, which took place on February 18th at UC Santa Cruz's Second Stage, has been wowing audiences ever since.

Directed by Don Williams, playwright Patricia Joann Gibson's play revolves around sex, race, politics and gender. It takes the complication of female friendships and untangles it through memories and longings of yesterday's innocence, love and trust.

This time, AATAT made the unprecedented move of using an all female cast, comprised mostly of UCSC students. Laced with an unpeccable white suit, sophomore Shanta Wilson gives an illuminating and intense character to the bold and the beautiful Laveer Swan - painter, traveler, adventuress in love and men. On the other extreme, former Oakes student Casandra Paden plays Panzi Lew McVain, the sophisticated, hot-headed lover of Janeen Earl-Taylor, who despises everything Laveer Swan does.

Janeen, played by sophomore Patricia Russell, clings on to dear life for her friendsgip with "Lavy," as she so affectionately called Laveer since their childhood days. Janeen's sudden suicidal death brings a close group of five friends together for her funeral and a gathering in her home afterwards. Reminiscing their yesterdays and good times, each woman has a story of her own to tell over a glass of brandy.

Babbs Wilkerson, played by sophomore Niketa Calame, is a friend of Janeen's and a TV show host whose spunk and spirit for life cannot guard her from divorce and alcoholism. Calame is one of the more experienced thespians among the crew, and it shows. Her performance is unforgettable and her brief musical solo will resonate in your ears.

Doctor Thelma Carson, played by sophomore Aida Waters, struggles with the notion of physical beauty. Rachel Martinez gives a forceful performance as the hard-working , unpriveleged Alisa Meyers-Reynold. Young Laveer and Janeen, played by sophomores Pallavi Somusetty and Zakia Goodwin are also worth noting for their strikingly familiar characterizations of pre-teen sexual curiosity.

In "Long Time Since Yesterday," these six women confront many mind-boggling issues about life. Alisa explains the fine line between spontaneity and luck; Janeen struggles with parental expectations; Thelma explores self-pity and success; Panzi and Laveer argue about the meaning of true friendship; and Babbs laments on the confusing world of men. Bottom line is: "Life promises nothing, we gotta do the best with what we've got," as wisely proclaimed by Alisa.

AATAT's value to UC Santa Cruz clearly shines, especially for those students who are often under-represented. A member of the troupe, Jujuana Williams expresses her deep gratitude for Don Williams and AATAT in helping "students of color feel that they have a place in the theater department."

In the program note from director Don Williams, he closes with this line: "We survive because of good people in life. So always lift someone higher than yourself." "Long Time Since Yesterday" is all about supporting the ones you love, not just yesterday, but tomorrow and always.