Only in grade 6Z, “Class of ‘73” can the a young rabbit be a “rabbi”, the capital of Jamaica, “Ghetto” and the prayer for every occasion, “For health and strength and daily food…”

Patrick Brown’s “Class of ’73” starring Oliver Samuels, Glen Campbell, Camille Davis, Courtney Wilson Sharee McDonald-Russell and the Jambiz Krew in its solo showing at the Coral Springs Center for the Performing Arts played to a packed auditorium. “Class of ’73” combines well the absurd with the realistic and manages to include some elements of a musical.

Oliver Samuels who plays teacher Mr. Bringle executes this role only as Oliver can. His capacity to take any situation and transform it into something of comedic quality was evident as he did quite a bit of ad libbing, inciting audience participation. Class of ’73 mirrors some of the challenges of the Jamaican Education system where the ‘dregs’ of society are sometimes not given the same opportunities as those of the upper echelons. It also depicts the teachers who have given up on students before giving them a chance. Mr. Bringle is one such teacher who spends his days belittling students, calling them ‘dunce’ and telling them they “will neva amount to nuttin” all while hustling on the side and hoping to fly off to England. Of course these students are determined to sit the “Kamon Ntrance” exam, which will take them to high school.

Sadly, this hardly working teacher is himself academically challenged. Phoebe’s (one of the students) name takes on a phonetic pronunciation and Raquel becomes “Ray-Quel”. Now saddled with a number of social misfits who are intellectually challenged Mr. Bringle sees teaching them as futile and rules with a thick ruler that he frequently walks across their backs. Yet he insists they will only learn if they are given private lessons.

But without even opening their mouths, the cast elicits laughter from the audience. Oliver wears bell pants…quite tight, I might add, a tight “pretty-pretty” shirt and a huge Afro. The students, though in uniform, look ridiculous. From the stammer one, to the ‘craven’ one, the “stush” one, to the suck finger one and the frowsy one – these characters are executed flawlessly. Of note is the performance by Glen “Titus” Campbell who plays two roles – the student, Milo and principal “Drop Short”.  It was a pleasure to see him in action with the go-go dancer as they danced up a storm to Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s get it on.”

Despite the sedate end, “Class of ’73”, showed that even social misfits can at the end of the day achieve great things if they have the drive and the proper tool with which to work. With its excellent cast, “Class of ‘73” offered a bellyful of laughter and a good selection of songs and dances. And on that note, who would have “thunk” that Oliver could do the Willy Bounce so well? Looks like he’s been practicing.

- Sonia Morgan