Once a year the Firehouse Theatre produces a play that is meant not only to entertain audiences, but to deal with racial divides. This year Carol Piersol, artistic director for the Firehouse Theatre, chose “This is How it Goes,” a play that addresses cultural conflicts, which she believes are still prevalent in Richmond.
“This is How it Goes” is set in the Midwest and centers on race, friendship, ethnic relationships and betrayal. Belinda and Cody Phipps, an interracial couple, receive an unexpected visit from a high school friend. The three former classmates then deal with issues of chauvinism, disloyalty and heartache.
“This play deals with some complicated relationships – issues of perceptions of race – how individuals choose to handle difficult relationships and their overt willingness to manipulate each other,” said Bill Farrar, the public relations manager for the Firehouse Theatre. When choosing a director for the production, Carol Piersol said she immediately went to Bill Patton.
“(Bill) doesn’t come with any preconceived notions,” Piersol said. “He creates with the actors as he goes.”
Patton said people in the theater often over-analyze scripts and as a result impose their own thoughts on the material.
“I don’t want to force my idea on (the script),” Patton said. “I would rather do what (the playwright) has written and then see what happens.”