Not all of the pieces of the puzzle fit, but Major Barbara still rang true the hypocrisy of America. The play depicted a young woman, Barbara (Sonequa Martin), torn between continuing her life of privilege or pursuing her new role as a major for the Salvation Army. During her new role at the Army, she prides herself on helping the poor while also spreading the word of God. It is not until her wealthy father comes to town does she realize the truth behind generosity. Her father, Andrew Undershaft (Steve Ray), fuels the economy and wars by providing ammunition for the armed forces. When the Salvation Army is in dire need of financial backing, ironically, the millionaire Undershaft supports the cause known for cleaning up the wreck left by his wars. With the aftermath of hurricane Katrina knocking on America's front door, the play echoed today's burdens of how often wealth can be our worst enemy, while also our saving grace.
      The play's underlying theme was a hit, but not without it's flaws. I am a fan of dialects and accents, but it seemed, at times, the actors were somewhat rushing through their text. My last complaint is when lead Sonequa Martin disappeared half-way through the night. I understand emergencies can occur, but at least have an understudy ready and waiting. By sending a girl dressed like she belonged in the Matrix to the stage with a script in hand, the audience realized the importance of period costuming, hence everyone whispering, "Is that Barbara?"
      On the upside, the night provided some compelling performances. Jason Keef, as Steven Undershaft, stole the show with his comedic twitches. Fidgeting while playing with a billiard ball, Keef commanded laughs. Another head turning actor was Mari Burke who played Mrs. Baines, head of the Salvation Army. Burke's confidence on stage carried her minor role, mirroring that of Olivia de Havilland in Gone with the Wind. Allison Moy is another name worth recognition thanks to her accurate comedic timing and exceedingly animated demeanor. Lastly, Missy Flowers had the audience chuckling with her humorous attempts to sneak food from her counterparts at the Salvation Army. Her depiction of a woman mad with hunger proved to be a true comedic relief in an often delicate storyline of poverty.
      Despite one or two shortcomings, Major Barbara's essential theme definitely stuck with you past the doors of Allen Bales. Though some of the elements of the production were stronger than others, they all eventually tied together to help transport you for a couple of hours into another mindset. By comparing two lifestyles, Major Barbara posed the question of whether money or character dictates lives. Thus, the play pointed out that good and bad are often intertwined. In the words of Major Barbara, "There is no wicked side of life...it is all one."