Patrice Jean-Baptiste Captivates in Lyric Stage Production

Actress Patrice Jean-Baptiste is currently commanding the stage at Lyric Stage, starring in Pearl Cleage’s production of “Angry, Raucous and Shamelessly Gorgeous.” She portrays Anna Campbell, an aging actress who is simultaneously brilliant and difficult.

Theater critic Jacquinn Sinclair has lauded the performance, calling it one of Jean-Baptiste's "best roles yet." Jean-Baptiste is described as fantastically convincing in this complex portrayal of an artist wrestling with past decisions, anxieties, and insecurities concerning her work.

The Comeback and the Conflict

In the play, Anna Campbell attempts a U.S. comeback after spending many decades performing internationally. Her most famous work, “Naked Wilson,” involved reciting monologues from August Wilson’s “Fences” while nude.

However, Anna soon learns that she is not slated to reprise this signature role. Instead, the performance is scheduled to be taken over by a younger, less experienced performer, Precious “Pete” Watson. Pete was handpicked for the show, which serves as the anchor for a festival produced by Kate Hughes.

A Pattern of Complex Roles

Jean-Baptiste often gravitates toward characters facing challenging decisions. This is evident in her past roles, such as Abasiama in “Her Portmanteau,” who faced consequences decades after sending her daughter to Nigeria.

Similarly, in “Trouble in Mind,” her character Wiletta Mayer had to choose between keeping a major Broadway role about the Jim Crow South or standing up against the problematic portrayal of Black characters. In the current production, Anna must decide whether to obstruct Pete’s path or offer guidance as an elder artist.

Themes of Legacy and Silencing

Much of “Angry, Raucous and Shamelessly Gorgeous” centers on Anna battling her own internal struggles regarding her artistic legacy. Cleage’s work explores themes of aging, respectability politics, and legacy, brought vividly to life under Jacqui Parker’s direction.

The narrative also addresses the silencing of women, a key motivation behind Anna’s original “Naked Wilson” performance. Ironically, Anna, elevated by her elite status, risks becoming the very establishment she once fought against.

The Clash Between Generations

The core conflict involves Anna attempting to undermine Pete’s performance, leading to a dynamic mini-war. Pete demonstrates her own tenacity and creativity in response to Anna’s opposition.

The sparring between the two talented actresses is described as a joy to witness. The cast also features Inés de la Cruz as Anna’s best friend, Betty, though the script reportedly does not allow the audience to hear Anna’s original work or see Pete’s proposed evolution of it.

Despite minor imperfections, including some flubbed lines by de la Cruz that were quickly recovered, the production is deemed a worthy watch. It successfully spurs reflection on the long-term impact of artistic and personal choices on future generations.