Review by Jeanne Kinley Deller:

Based on Imbolo Mbue’s award-winning book “Behold the Dreamers,” Book-It Repertory Theatre immerses audiences in the intimate lives of a young immigrant family. Having uprooted their lives in Cameroon for what promises to be a better life in New York, the family encounters many unforeseen challenges.

While “Behold the Dreamers” is first and foremost a story about immigration, many inflexible issues surface to reshape the lives of the Jongas family. Race, class, and the Great Recession are added obstacles this family strives to overcome in its honest, plain-spoken manner.

Book-It’s minimalist staging for this production complements and supports the story-line and its superb cast. Sylvester Foday Kamara (as Jende) and Anjelica McMillan (as Neni) bring tremendous strength and credibility to their dynamic characters. Myra Platt’s adaptation and direction are, as always, perfection.

“Behold the Dreamers” is playing now through June 30, 2019 at Book-It Repertory Theatre in the Seattle Center. Tickets here.

Photo by John Ulman