Even though there are many laugh lines in Indecent Proposal, the trials of the single mother also gets a lot of focus in Patrick Brown’s play, currently showing at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston.
Sharee Elise plays the role of Sarah, a waitress and mother of two children desperate to find stability. Along comes Lenny (Glen Campbell), a suitor who promises her a better life but finds that, as honourable as his motives are, there are challenges.
Playing Sarah is an eye-opener for Elise, a regular in Brown’s productions.
“Sarah has given me a unique perspective on the challenges that women in certain situations face. As a single mother struggling to make ends meet, Sarah’s experiences have shown me how a lack of resources can lead to difficult choices that might otherwise be deemed unacceptable,” she told the Jamaica Observer. “This role has helped me understand the complexities of decision-making in the face of limited options.”
The cast is completed by Courtney Wilson, another regular in Brown’s plays. He has the role of Rex, Sarah’s ex and one of her delinquent babyfathers.
One point Indecent Proposal reinforces is the breakdown of the nuclear family in Jamaica, once the hallmark of the country’s society.
“Too many households have been left on the backs of women who have to play the role of mother and father and, in light of that, something must give, and unfortunately what ‘gives’ is a firm foundation for kids to thrive and grow into well-rounded individuals. Instead, a lot of them become victims of the circumstances of their surroundings,” said Elise.
From Falmouth, Trelawny, Elise cut her creative teeth as a member of the Ashe performing arts ensemble for 16 years before moving into acting. She has appeared in several Patrick Brown plays, among them Windscream Posse, Right Girl, Wrong Address, Matey Chronicles, and Duppy Whisperer.
Indecent Proposal opened in July and is scheduled to close on October 20.