My wife and I really enjoyed this play. Chisa Hutchinson has represented Christian faith and life pretty accurately and respectfully. Jay Mazyck’s excellent acting of Tino reminded me of some of the awkward real-life Christian youth that I have known. While I don’t know how accurately the black culture of Newark is depicted, the talented acting certainly seemed believable.
This play gives hope to those brought up in a harsh environment, and shows how caring and love can make a real difference in people’s lives. Even more than that, it gives some actual help, in the form of recommending real programs, and working in a lesson in proper grammar. While there is some coarse language, the good acting made it seem natural for the characters, and I didn’t find it particularly galling. There are also a lot of subtle details, such as in the different Bible versions used.
While the identify of Tino’s father isn’t formally revealed, it seems to be subtly implied by the tone of some of the conversation. The two short sermons also provide a lot of food for thought. When dealing with complicated moral issues, such as helping your family (Tino’s aunt Alneesa) vs. helping the lunch lady (Bernadette), the play gives both sides of the argument.
Surely Goodness and Mercy is not just entertaining, but is also edifying. To use a Bible quote, it “ministers grace unto the hearers”. We left feeling good, but with a lot to talk about afterwards!
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