Benjamin is a child born not long before the AIDS Epidemic. They diagnose him with hemophilia, when he is still a baby. Hemophiliacs lack the clotting factor, resulting in extreme hemorrhaging. The worst danger lies in internal bruising and bleeding. Hemophilia is more prevalent in boys than girls; one of the most famous cases was Alexander, the son of Alexandria and Nicholas Romanov, the last Tsar of Russia. Benjamin uses a medicine amalgamated from blood donations, and subsequently is afflicted by the HIV virus. All this before he reaches the age of 8.
When The Yellow Boat opens we bear witness to how idyllic Benjamin’s life is. He is but a wee lad, but his parents nourish him on all fronts. He’s encouraged to play, laugh, create, imagine and embrace new horizons. They correct, but never squelch. They persuade, but never strong-arm. The Yellow Boat becomes a metaphor for hope and adventure, and a world where only good succeeds. Playwright David Saar is quite perceptive in tempering his depiction of Benjamin and his folks. They are warm and sweet-natured, but down to earth. Benjamin himself is eminently likable but never crosses the line into preciousness or spunk. When one of his buddies informs him that a girl is fond of him, he is less than enthusiastic.
There is something truly miraculous about The Yellow Boat, beyond the way it finds moments of genuine mirth in the midst of overwhelming sadness. Which is certainly remarkable enough. The first rule of tragedy is : never stack the deck. If the situation is bleak, let the content speak for itself. Saar, director Taylor Owen, and the cast and crew, et al, have immersed us in this emotionally charged experience, without holding us hostage to the intense grief that is almost inevitable. They include us, (and yes, tears are definitely in the mix) but respect us enough to honor our humanity without exploiting it. We come away with deep appreciation for Benjamin’s parents, who were always honest with him, even when it was more tempting to sugarcoat. Theatre is so much about chemistry. So much about intuition. So much about tone. It feels odd to say The Yellow Boat was in many ways a joyful drama, but it doesn’t wring you out. We get a true sense of Benjamin’s zeal for living, the doors he opened for everyone he met.
Resolute Theatre Project presents The Yellow Boat, playing September 7th-16th, 2018. Amy’s Studio of Performing Arts, 11888 Marsh Lane, Suite 600, Dallas, Texas 75234. 972-484-7900. www.resolutetheatreproject.com