ANN ARBOR, MI–The Ripple, The Wave That Carried Me Home is a storytelling memoir about a an African-American family through the passage of time from the 1930s to 1992, delving deep into the human psyche, exploring themes of love, loss and trauma.

At its heart, “The Ripple” is a deeply emotional journey, guided by a diverse cast of characters who grapple with their own hopes, fears, and desires. From the enigmatic protagonist, Janice (Bryana Hall) to the supporting players who weave in and out of the narrative, each character is brought to life with depth and nuance, allowing audiences to connect with their struggles and triumphs on a visceral level.

Playwright Christina Anderson layers the story of a middle class black family into a broader story about social justice, segregated swimming pools, generational divide, and the blessing and curse of water.

This is the story of how Janice, the daughter of civil rights activists, Edwin (Jonathan Jones) and Helen (Yolanda Davis), navigated a childhood through her parents’ fight to integrate the local swimming pools in 1960s Kansas. Janice processes her memories and clearly some trauma when she is asked by a nameless composite character credited as “Chipper Young Ambitious Black Woman” (Taylor Jones) to come home from her Ohio suburban life and be present when her hometown names a formerly-segregated pool after her father.

The request creates an emotional crisis for Janice, causing her to journey into her childhood and adolescent memories of loving the water, learning to swim with her Mother, watching her parents battle the white power structure, and ultimately her decision to stop swimming.

Directed by Lynch R. Travis, one of the play’s most powerful themes is its exploration of the interconnectedness of all things. Through Janice’s story, we come to understand that every action, every choice, sends out ripples that reverberate throughout the universe, shaping destinies and forging connections across generations.

The story is not subtle. It is written to be talk at us, the audience. The theme is so powerful that this approach can be justified. Ms. Hall is excellent leading us through her story, changing from an agitated adult to a scared child in one of the flashback scenes. Ms. Davis and Mr. jones have excellent chemistry in creating the energy and body language of two people in love for a long time, and living with a purpose. Ms. Jones toggles between her role as “Chipper” and Aunt Gayle with great ease and natural comedy.

The sound and props are simple, designed by Briana O’Neal, making best use of Theatre NOVA’s intimate space. Paul Taylor designed a simple straightforward versatile set. Jeff Alder is lighting designer. Michaella Victoria is costume designer.

Thomas Wolfe wrote You Can’t Go Home Again. But, of course, we do all the time. We don’t always want to. And when we do, it doesn’t always turn out well. In this case, though, Janice’s trip home is fruitful, and we get to eat the fruit too.