Reviews Of “Jamaica Farewell”, Written And Performed By Jamaican, Debra Ehrhardt (May-07-2007) LA TIMES Joyous release in 'Jamaica, Farewell' The audience for "Jamaica, Farewell" feels as spirited as Debra Ehrhardt's one-woman show. During a pre-play chat with producer Judy-Lee Chen Sang, green banana recipes are exchanged and the benefits of bush medicine touted. This isn't exactly a sleepy night at your average subscription theater. Playing every other Sunday as part of the Whitefire Theatre's solo series, "Jamaica, Farewell" is less an autobiography of immigrating to the U.S. than an unabashed display of girl power. Lighting up a bare stage, briskly directed by Monique Lai, Ehrhardt takes us on the ride of her life. "Everything is possible in America," she tells us breathlessly in the voice of her younger self. Pause, deadpan: "The problem is getting there." But the ferociously determined teenage Debbie, witnessing the disintegration of revolution-torn Jamaica in the 1980s, will do anything to get out: impersonate a nun, set someone's dreadlocks on fire, even enlist a smitten CIA operative to help smuggle a million bucks out of the country. Impersonating cool BBC reporters, soused barkeeps and big-bottomed madams, Ehrhardt engagingly brings to life the boogie — and limits — of Jamaican culture, perhaps best embodied by her charming, heartbreaking father, who has a tendency to gamble away the family's furniture when he's had too much to drink. But the evening's real pleasure is simply Ehrhardt herself, a winning set of contradictions: She can tilt her gorgeous cheekbones skyward with hauteur and then take pratfalls when her American dream hits the skids. She's got it going on, living every day like Independence Day. — Charlotte Stoudt, LA TIMES   REVIEWS Cont’d…   ”Debra’s performance is stunning and evocative as she weaves a journey of love, whimsy and intrigue.  She tugs at your heartstrings in her determination to win, and with grace.” Academy Award Nominated Producer, Karolyn Ali   "Debra takes off the gloves and wraps her elegant hands around the American dream the way it used to be.  With her sultry voice and physical beauty, it’s a fast-paced twelve round knockout that leaves you chuckling and dewy-eyed at the same time.  Here’s one Jamaican joy that reminds us of how we used to be for most immigrants; 'America The Beautiful'.” Producer, Actress, News Anchor, Bree Walker "Go on this exciting and enchanting adventure. Debra Ehrhardt is a wonderful story teller." Actor, Director, Producer, David Groh   ”Debra Ehrhardt takes the audience on a wild ride of laughs and drama, a great story, and remarkable that one woman can tell it with such zest and conviction.”  Francis Megahy, Writer/Director   “There is something for everyone in Jamaica Farewell—there is joy and laughter, danger and adventure, disappointment and sadness, success and triumph.  And there is love and forgiveness. Jamaica Farewell is so superbly written--and artfully performed by its playwright / performer, Debra Ehrhardt--that you won't want it to end. The play moves along quickly and the audience is immediately captivated as Debra seamlessly transitions between the more than a dozen characters in the play including her childhood friend, Charmaine; her mother, Kathryn; her father; her preacher; her boss, the radio announcer and the CIA agent, Jack. But what is most impressive is how believable she is as each character.” Glen Laman, Writer, www.jamaicans.com