Stick Fly

Beneath the surface cool of Diamond's play about affluent African-Americans on Martha's Vineyard lies a durable dramatic formula: a plot based on a secret that causes telling reversals. Two sons bring their girlfriends to the family home for a weekend, and the mix of race and class-consciousness lets loose submerged anger and secrets. Michole Briana White is wonderful as Taylor, one of the girlfriends and the most complex person in the play. She deftly conveys her character's eagerness, intelligence, lack of self-consciousness, and frustration. Justine Bateman also stands out as the other girlfriend--savvy, sexy, smart, and confident. Though the second half is less structured, the play has wonderfully alert dialogue, which makes it especially fun. G.H. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine