Witness Uganda at American Repertory Theatre

Rising

by Elizabeth Chiu

          This musical was epic. The cast constantly showed a huge array of emotions. The humor is meant for an audience that is in the present. There was never a dull scene because the cast and there relationships with the characters are continuously pulling you into the story. Intense and mind blowing, Witness Uganda shows you how money cannot fix all your problems. Also is shows the difficult struggle of helping others. Griffin Mathews, the leading role also deals with his sexuality throughout the play. His love and compassion for his friends in Uganda drives him to the point of breaking. When he breaks, he learns how to rebuild himself. 

           

            Throughout the play you see Griffin struggle with where his responsibility lies. As you sit and watch this emotional journey unravel the music intensifies Griffin’s story. The show opens with a Uganda woman singing her soul out to you. Her powerful voice sets the tone of the play. As Griffin starts to tell his story you see his personality and humor engage everyone in the room. Griffin wanted to become a professional actor in New York. Instead, he decides to put his dream on hold and buy a ticket to Uganda. This musical goes in depth as into relationship between the American lifestyle and the Uganda’s lifestyle. By using traditional African music and a modern piece called resurrect the music sets the mood of the scene your about to see. Also the diction of each character was clear.

            There is another element to Griffin that makes this musical powerful and relevant. He is gay and in America people can still judge you because of your sexuality but America is more open to change then other countries. In Uganda homosexuality is despised. That is the way of the people. This secret that Griffin keeps to himself defines him. But when everything is said and done it does not matter in the end whether you are straight or gay. What matters is that you should never let yourself be defined strictly based on your sexuality. Griffin embraces his sexuality because he accepts himself.

            He also learns how to put everything on the line for the people that he learns to love and care for. This true experience also teaches Griffin that helping others is more then raising money. He also digs deeper into what the Ugandans see and feel about Americans. While this musical goes back and forth between Uganda and America, you see multiple perspectives. It forces you to think deeper and to feel for all the characters when they are in pain. Griffin explores the emotions of betrayal, compassion, confliction and bravery. In this production you will see a compelling and heartwarming journey that will show you how to overcome any struggle.