CHASING SOPHEA

Dahlia Chang's husband, Michael, resolves to uncover his wife’s past, which he is sure is what is making her just a little bit crazy. Gabrielle Pina has written an African-American comedy of manners that is chock full of unforgettable eccentric characters. Whether she is portraying a black psychiatrist who idolizes Margaret Thatcher; the story’s black middle-class heroine; her frustrated husband, who is tired of being tired; or the octogenarian black Southern belle known as Great-Aunt Baby Doll—Shari Peele captures the pure essence of each character. Overall craziness and a pair of lavender panties make these seven CDs a vehicle for a romp that takes listeners from Texas to California. As good as the narrative is, it is Shari Peele’s performance that makes this a comic tour de force. P.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 08]