ADDING UP AMERICA: Solving the Race Equation

Adding Up America is the personal account of Monique DeBose growing up Black/mixed race in America, using mathematics as a metaphor for the attempt to make sense of her own race and the inequality she faces. DeBose moves through life in the United States and abroad, attempting to rationalise her racial position, all the while stuck with the impossible choice of staying with her husband or running away with her lover.

The acting is excellent, particularly DeBose's enchanting voice, and the story itself is interesting and well put together for most of its length. Music and singing permeate the piece, but they occasionally feel more like accompaniment than something integral to the storytelling. It would be stronger if the music were made as central to the show as mathematics is to its conceit.

The piece also loses some of its flow towards the end, with some peculiar accent choices adding to the unevenness. Still, the central idea is clear and the performance is highly competent.

An interesting idea, very well performed, but the theatrical equation does not quite balance.

ADDING UP AMERICA: Solving the Race Equation by Monique DeBose.