Warwick’s Gamm Theatre opens the new year with a “reinterpretation” of a famous Victorian melodrama that examines race and representation in America.

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ play deconstructs Dion Boucicault’s 1859 play about life on a cotton plantation in the antebellum south.

Director Joe Wilson Jr. pulls a few rabbits out of his hat in telling the story, shades of Adrian Hall’s early Trinity days and productions at the former Alias Stage.

Wilson starts by reconstructing the playing space. Audiences enter by the left side of the theater, sitting on both sides of the stage and long runway, with the original seating off to the right, representing a cotton field.

Marc Pierre enters as the author, asking the audience “What makes you happy?”

He explains that he is angry at white people and immediately covers his face with white stage cream.

A few metaphorical and metaphysical discussions happen between him and an Indian, or should we say Native American (Jeff Church), who covers his face with red and dons a war bonnet. We are introduced to Jason Quinn’s character, who covers himself in blackface.

There’s a bee metaphor and further discussions about acting stereotypes and eventually we get to the melodramatic play with characters playing against type.

The title of the play is based on one of the characters, Zoe (Shelley Fort) who is an octoroon, defined as one eighth black.

She is a slave to be sold, but this becomes a problem when she becomes romantically involved with the plantation owner, played by Pierre.

I have to admit that I got lost a few times in the rhetoric, but the issue of the role of race both in the theatre and in reality is loud and clear. The play becomes very political -- especially at the end when the old South transitions to the Trump era.

There is a lot to absorb in this long two-act play, and while it speaks directly to the audience, depending on who they are will determine how you interpret it.

There is no doubt that this is an important American play, one that has been praised by scholars and critics.

How they Gamm audiences will embrace it is yet to be seen.

“An Octoroon” is at Gamm Theatre through February 20. Tickets are $49-$69. Call 723-4266 for reservations.