Much has been written over the past two centuries on the subject of racism in America. Few works, however, have tackled the complexities that exist for modern whites. Fewer still have done it with both honesty and class. The Madison Repertory Theatre's, 122 State St., production of Rebecca Gilman's \Spinning into Butter"" is one of these wonderful rarities.
Set at Belmont College, an exclusive liberal-arts school in Vermont, ""Spinning into Butter"" deals with the very delicate issue of racism on a college campus. At the center of this struggle is Dean of Students Sarah Daniels, a white woman who has just assumed her job after a stint at a school in inner-city Chicago. Her hopes and dreams of giving to the students who need it most are not so easy as she might expect, as she upsets a student by generalizing his race on a scholarship application. The situation worsens when threatening, graphic notes appear on the door of a freshman student of color.
These events send Sarah into an intense state of self-reflection. She begins to realize that for all of her efforts and her idealism, she has yet to overcome racism in her own life. Sarah discovers that all of her work is based on a respect that does not exist, and she knows that she will never succeed if she does not overcome her denied prejudices.
""Spinning into Butter"" is brought to life by veteran director Anne-Marie Cammarato and an all-but-seamless seven-person cast. Diane Robinson is absolutely magnificent as lead Sarah Daniels. Robinson's portrayal of Sarah is so honest, so natural and so accessible to the audience, one can only expect to meet someone exactly like her about the UW-Madison campus. She is able to convey Sarah's struggles with race so clearly, from Sarah's educating herself on other races to ranking people on public buses, that anyone in the audience can empathize on some level with what she is feeling.
Excellent performances were also turned in by Diane Dorsey, as Sarah's prickly superior, Dean Catherine Kenney, and Paul Boesing as Dean Burton Strauss, a man who gives in to his own racial demons. UW-Madison senior Cornelio Aguilera is very moving in his role as Patrick Chibas, a Belmont student who confronts Sarah regarding her own racism. Nat Miller and Gerard Dedera fill out the cast wonderfully as a student and a campus security officer, respectively, both of whom would like to see right done at Belmont. The only character confusion comes with Richard Ganoung's portrayal of Ross Collins, a professor and Sarah's former lover. Ross makes a startling transformation from an absolute jerk to a man full of wisdom with very little explanation as to why. However, the show itself is so strong that even this cannot upset its message.
This play exposes the ugliness that still exists in a world very conscious of diversity and what is considered politically correct. It comments that by making an effort to ""appreciate"" those who are different, one does not see others eye to eye, but either above or below. ""Spinning into Butter"" pointedly asserts that although racism has come a long way in the past centuries, it is not obliterated, only hiding. It seems to convey that current tactics are not effective, and that overcoming racism will require more. The show seems to acknowledge that although it will not be easy, it will be worth it.
It is important not to let a piece as significant and flawlessly executed as ""Spinning into Butter"" fall to the wayside with its mediocre contemporaries. It is so rare to find any work with the power and beauty of this one, let alone any with such a spectacular cast, crew and director. ""Spinning into Butter"" is theater as its best, and for that, and the bravery of its message, it should be cherished.
""Spinning into Butter"" will be playing at the Isthmus Playhouse in the Madison Civic Center through Nov. 18. Tickets are $24 for Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday shows and $30 for Friday and Saturday shows. For information call 266-9055.
