Flex offense is a versatile and effective basketball play that involves constant player movement and passing to create scoring opportunities. i.e. teamwork

In rural Plano, Arkansas, 1998, women’s basketball is taken seriously. Though they only have a dirt court, this year’s team is intent on rising to state finals lead by Captain Starra Jones (Erica Matthews), whose focus on winning is as directed and energized as a strategic missile. Starra’s mother played ball. We assume she’s been training all her young life. Looking up, the teenager regularly speaks to “mama.” (In heaven?) They’re high school seniors.

Renita Lewis (Donna Cunningham); Erica Matthews (Starra Jones)

The team consists of: good-natured, direct Donna Cunningham (Renita Lewis); Cherise Howard (Ciara Monique), who insists the team be baptized “to get clarity”; Sidney Brown (Tamera Tomakili), relocated from California in order to establish herself in the sport; and April Jenkins (Brittany Bellizeare). For some unfathomable reason, the girls initially practice in low slung stomach pillows leading us to assume the entire team is with child. In fact, they took a pre-season pledge of abstinence. Only April is actually pregnant and benched because of it. As for the baby? “Me and Paul got other plans.”

Renita Lewis (Donna Cunningham); Ciara Monique (Cerise Howard)

Unequivocally the best player, cocky Starra, has ruled without challenge for years. Sidney, however, is so good that a college scout has come to check her out. While her philosophy is everything for the team, Starra’s is self advancement. Much to the distress of Coach Francine Pace (Christiana Clark), the two lock horns. Starra secretly does something  terrible she hopes will derail her competition – rationalizing it’s for the team. “My mama taught me everybody play a little foul,” she shrugs.

Each girl has her own distinctive character, from speech pattern to movement. Backgrounds are similar. Scraping by, under-educated families offer little support and occasionally abuse. The girls gossip and talk sex. Vernacular is fluent. Speed sometimes obscures dialogue. One moves on. There’s no question they’ve grown up together in a small town. Affinity and values pervade. Playwright Candrice Jones has a finely honed ear for dialogue and rhythm. This is the hip hop generation. They talk in subliminal beats like the music. References are specific adding verisimilitude. Wait – does Esquire have a fold-out pin-up?

Back: Erica Matthews (Starra Jones), Brittany Bellizeare (April Jenkins), Tamera Tomakili (Sidney Brown) Front: Ciara Monique (Cherise Howard), Renita Lewis (Donna Cunningham)

There’s basketball parlance about which I admittedly know nothing. One gets the gist. Cheers are idiosyncratic and cool. And the girls play. Oh how they play! In the course of the show, every cast member dribbles, passes, blocks and makes intermittent baskets on the fly without ever missing. Actors had to send samples of court action with audition tapes and were additionally trained.

Choreography is impressive, all the more in Act II as we watch the team compete against invisible opponents, yet sense every block and evasion. As there’s no credit in the program, one assumes director Lileana Blain-Cruz, who played ball herself (as did the author), took the helm. Brava. (Direction is consistently excellent from pacing to composition to character.) When we get to game finals, it’s like watching the home team play. The invested audience collectively reacts to every shot.

Christiana Clark (Coach) and the team

Basketball, however, is not the point. The game requires commitment and cooperation. A successful team bonds. When one of the girls is in trouble, the rest step up despite personal hardship. A road accident (uniquely staged) followed by the now requested baptism (moving), clearly reflects six separate characters. Reactions also vary widely when Starra is exposed. The others accept one another.

Yes, there’s a moral here, but it’s neither Disney nor bible; nothing rose-colored or preachy. It’s a realistic slice of life with insight and distinction. And entertaining.

The entire cast is excellent. Standouts Erica Matthews (Starra) and Ciara Monique (Cherise) get more opportunity to showcase fictive personality.

Erica Matthews (Starra Jones)

Matt Saunders’ sets are two basketball courts. His real creativity is tapped with employment of a full sized car that comes apart like a 3D jigsaw puzzle to occupy and exit the stage. Audience applauds its cleverness.

Costumes by Mika Eubanks feature gradually upgraded uniforms and appropriate street clothes.
Palmer Hefferan (sound) offers tape deck music and crowd reaction with equal skill.

Don’t let basketball stop you. This is a worthy character piece. And you may find yourself cheering.

Photos by Mark J. Franklin
Opening: Erica Matthews (Starra Jones); Tamera Tomakili (Sidney)

Flex by Candrice Jones
Directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz

Lincoln Center Theater at The Mitzi E. Newhouse

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