The Legend of Spirit Mountain, ETA Creative Arts Foundation. This company, dedicated to producing new plays from the African-American community, often stages works in progress–and The Legend of Spirit Mountain certainly fits that bill. Playwright K.M. Nkosi is a lyrical storyteller whose almost mythological play offers a fresh, interesting take on familiar issues: saving an “at risk” black male, struggling to preserve traditions, fighting to maintain hold of the land. But the play needs a serious edit. The first act establishes and reestablishes its message, dragging on, and the second act simply doesn’t know how to end. The climax is confused and ineffective. A final violent confrontation elicits unintended laughter, and the scene of singing, dancing, drumming, and speeches that follows cannot be quite heard or understood. Then Nkosi provides a pat resolution for each character.
