If you ever partake of the San Diego theater scene, then you undoubtedly know of the La Jolla Playhouse, that San Diego staple that has produced such hits as “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “Cry Baby.” You may have even seen the show that recently left the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre  - “The Seven.” If you did happen to miss the show, however, I have to tell you that you did not miss out on much.
“The Seven” is an adaptation of Aeschlyus’ myth titled “Seven Against Thebes,” with a book and lyrics written by Will Power and music written by Will Power, Will Hammond and Justin Ellington. The choreography for the show was helmed by Bill T. Jones while Jo Bonney developed and directed the play. Unfortunately for all these very talented individuals, Bonney’s “The Seven” did little to raise excitement for the fable being told, nor did it raise levels of emotion for the characters that inhabit this story.
Focusing on the two sons of Oedipus – who himself is the recipient of quite the myth, marrying his mother and killing his father before gouging out his own eyes for his wrongdoings – “The Seven” involves hip hop and rap to tell the stories of how the quest for power corrupts. When Oedipus’ sons are cursed by their father, he states that they will both perish rather than rule Greece suitably. The sons scoff at their father’s warning, insisting that such will never happen to them, because they respect and love each other, emotions which both are lacking in their attentions towards their father.
As the play progresses, of course, Oedipus’ statements come to fruition but not before this impressive cast does a lot with the very little bit that this script offers.  While all the characters are kept to very one- or, at most, two-dimensional states, the actors in this production did everything they could to breathe more life into their comparatively lifeless characters. Unfortunately, even this enthusiasm was not enough to make “The Seven” an enjoyable night out.
Awkwardly for the leads, it was the secondary characters that really gave this show whatever oomph it can claim to have had. From the DJ, played by Chinasa Ogbuagu to a chorus of sorts played by the likes of Uzo Aduba, Shawtane Monroe Bowel, Daniell Eaves and Postell Pringle, as well as Pearl Sun and Charles Turner, these characters breathed the real life into the show. Used to play individual characters as well as townspeople, these actors and actresses took on a wide range of stances, from singing to dancing, and they all boasted quite impressive skills even though their usage within the plotline of “The Seven” was comparatively small.
The roles of Polynices and Eteocles, played by Jamyl Dobson and Flaco Navaja respectively, were unfortunately lacking. The actors themselves were kept to surprisingly basic interpretations of strength, greed and jealousy, never being allowed the freedom to grow into fully fleshed-out characters in their own rights. Whether this is the fault of the director or of a script too dense to allow for growth is hard to be seen, but it is certain that this technique did not work well within the confines of this show.
To be applauded in addition to the abovementioned chorus, is undoubtedly Edwin Lee Gibson. Gibson took on the role of Oedipus and elevated it to a humorously poignant state, making Oedipus both somehow hateful and also charmingly paternal. Turned into the role of a seeming pimp, Oedipus was brought to delightful life by Gibson who morphed himself and his character into other charming manifestations of themselves – including a blues performer - at various points of “storytelling” throughout this play.
With lighting designed by David Weiner, Sound by Darron L. West, Scenic Design by Richard Hoover and music directed by Daryl Waters, “The Seven” undoubtedly had the potential to make for an engaging night of theater, but we were never able to connect with the characters on stage, and so we walked away rather unaffected by the fates that befell them.
“The Seven” played at The La Jolla Playhouse on the campus of the University of California, San Diego. For more information call (858) 550-1010 or visit http://www.lajollaplayhouse.org/.