How do we talk about miscarriages? The word sometimes feels taboo. It is tied so closely with raw feelings of devastation, confusion, heartbreak and rage — all easier to avoid than confront. Karamu House’s production of “Weathering” doesn’t give you the option to avoid the topic. The show places the loss of a pregnancy, and all the ugly emotions tied to it, center stage, acting as a catalyst for conversation.
Playwright Harrison David Rivers’ “Weathering” received its world premiere at Penumbra Theatre in 2022. Rivers’ inspiration for the show stemmed from reading a New York Times magazine feature about the heightened Black infant and maternal mortality rates in the U.S. It is at home with director Nina Domingue at Karamu House, which is dedicated to producing socially relevant entertainment while honoring the Black experience. “Weathering” certainly delivers on that mission statement.
The play opens on a woman packing away unused onesies and toys, hinting at the unfathomable loss she recently experienced. Throughout the show, she is visited by her mother, sister, friend, neighbor and church lady who help her begin to digest the heartbreak of her miscarriage.
Our main character, Woman/Lena, is played by CorLesia Smith. Smith has large demands to meet; she must guide the audience through the diverse gamut of emotions provoked by a miscarriage. Smith rises to the occasion, deftly delivering charged monologues that feel accurate in their floundering confusion. She communicates with authenticity the difficulty one faces when trying to process and articulate a wound so fresh it has not even begun to scab over.
Christina Johnson is lovable as Mother/Easter. She is doting, domineering, over-attentive and nurturing, all of which blend to craft a believable character. Pamela Morton as the sometimes preachy, but always good-hearted, Church Lady/Margaret Wilson is delightful and matronly.
Diwe Augustin-Glave procures the most laughs as the rambunctious, witty Sister/Nikko, bringing a bright presence to the stage. Jailyn Sherell Harris as Neighbor/Turtle is sweet, bumbling and endearing while Courtney Black as the more quiet, soft-spoken Friend/Jo is charming and authentic.
Quincy Brame as Man/Nathan, Lena’s husband, is relatable in the way he stumbles through his emotions and his attempts to comfort his wife while in the throes of loss himself.
The story unfolds around the island of Cameron Caley Michalak’s kitchen set design. The modern white cabinets and countertops, high ceilings and lack of personalization on the walls give the space a cold, looming feel that is entirely suitable for this show. We see plenty of colors shine through the costume design of Inda Blatch-Geib, who dresses the characters in attire suited to the personality (clean-cut, classy dresses for Margaret Wilson and leather for Nikko) or the emotional strain (pajama pants for Lena) of the characters.
As the title foretells, our main character is weathering a storm of despair. Karamu’s production uses the flickering and flashing of Michael Boll’s lighting design, Richard B. Ingraham’s rumbling sound design and Tom West’s projected media/FX design as an interesting bit of magical realism that depicts the storm Lena’s enduring.
“Weathering” is written with plenty of warmth and humor, a welcome balance for the heavy subject matter. While Karamu House’s production nails the warmth, the humor doesn’t always resonate with the audience. This is only the case during pre-intermission, where the majority of conversations are being held by two characters at a time. The punch lines are palpable, but they only elicit scattered chuckles from an audience unsure of the appropriateness of their laughter.
After intermission, however, the production takes on a new life. The cast feeds off of one another to generate an infectious energy that is missing in the first half of the show. While this can be interpreted as the difference a community can make in processing grief, the contrast in engagement pre- and post-intermission is significant regardless. In no way does this negate the acting ability on stage–for every character is unique, likable and real–but comments, rather, on the nature of the source material (and the absolute enjoyability of Act II).
“Weathering” is heavy and dirty, gritty and real. It explores the most solemn of topics, but the devastation of miscarriages and the discrepancies in healthcare for women in the U.S. are topics that deserve to be explored. With its well-crafted characters and honest discussions, “Weathering” will prompt conversations far beyond the theater seats, which is a beautiful thing.
Too often are the experiences of women, especially that of Black women, stymied or shoved aside. Karamu House’s production puts those women center stage and demands that you listen.
“Weathering” runs through March 30 at Karamu House, 2355 East 89th Street, Cleveland. Visit karamuhouse.org or call (216) 795-7077 for tickets, $35 – $45.
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This article appears in Mar 13-26, 2025.