The new social drama, “Innocent Flesh” playing for five weeks at the Zephyr Theatre, exposes the realities of sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking of children in America.

After seeing the preview of Innocent Flesh last month, the LAPD’s [Head of Human Trafficking Task Force] Detective Eric Moore said it is, “as authentic as anything he’s ever seen.”

It all comes comes down to one single over-arching, human theme: “I want someone to love me.”

The most complex of stories could not possibly have a simpler solution in Innocent Flesh. The brand new social drama, filled with darkness and humor,  is written and directed by NAACP winner Kenyetta Lethridge.

In exposing the realities of sexual exploitation, teen prostitution and trafficking of children in America, Letheridge, drives a bald, clear-cut line in the asphalt. The story gives audiences no where to hide and gets right to the ‘heart’ of the matter.

Based on the real stories of four young girls and the hardships they face as underage prostitutes, we follow the shocking lives of four naive girls whose hopes of getting out of the cycle of violence is pretty much a 1 in a million chance, audiences become everything but voyeurs of life on the street.

It a  bold, honest, shocking new work. 

Young American girls are being raped daily for profit in communities we call home. Why? Because there are adults who demand to have sex with our children.

In a brand new social drama, opening to a full house at the Zephyr Theatre on Tuesday evening, with a brazen all-girl, cast, Innocent Flesh (formerly entitled, “The Making of an American Girl”) exposes the hardship and realities of the sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking of children in America.

It’s not a foreign problem. It’s right on your street, your block, around the corner, right in front of your eyes.

Speaking with writer/director and NAACP award winner, Kenyetta Lethridge, was an eye-opening experience. A native of Los Angeles born and raised right on Crenshaw, Kenyetta explained to me what growing up in the neighborhood was really like.

“It happened to me every day. I got approached.”

What she’s referring to is “the life” otherwise known as “the track” in street speak. A life that is portrayed through the loosely adapted stories of four real teen prostitutes who have innocent childhood dreams as we see them “Double-Dutch” on the sidewalk, but who one by one, fall prey to her own unique kind of violence and end up “turned out” as early as age 12.

Each one has her fantasy, “I want to be pretty,” “I want to be a lawyer and lock up all the criminals,” “I want to be on TV,” “I want to be famous,” “I want to have lots of expensive clothes,” “I want to be a foreign ambassador like Angelina Jolie and have 10 kids and be rich and come home and be in a movie.”

Written in a multi-layered style that uses poetry, dance, and a modern take on the classic Greek Chorus, Innocent Flesh very clearly and quite provocatively breaks the forth wall and puts us smack in the life, side by side with the girls, as if we were one of their friends. Through confessional vignettes, games, and guided flash backs, we experience first-hand how girls of all walks of life can find themselves on the streets.

Throughout this play, and underlying every bruising, beating, sex act, and catastrophe, what these girls really deal with is neglect and psychological abuse. But in every case, what they all come back to is their true hearts’ desire reflected in chant:

“I want someone to love me”

“I want someone to love me”

“I want someone to love me”

After the show, I sat with the cast and asked each girl what it was like having to prepare for a role like this. Each had something similar to say. What was most interesting is that each of the girls sounded more like the characters they were playing than themselves, which really drove the point home:

Daphne Gabriel – “I have to pump myself up to do this every night…”

Angelina Prendergast – “All I can think is, I have to go through that again…”

Jameelah Nuriddin – “I feel brave. It takes courage to overcome each night…”
Clara Gabrielle – “I was really reluctant when I first read the stage directions. I didn’t think I was ready. I was scared. It’s made me more, brave.”

One thing Ms. Lethridge was really insistent on with this production was that it stayed on the lighter side. Writing from an actor’s point of view, it was important to keep this show relatable. The challenge was to keep the comedy within the story. It’s not gruesome. But it is direct. The words coming out of these girls mouths are totally honest.

“It is vital that we take notice and not turn our backs on what is ugly.”

Michael Mann, one of the show’s producers, is excited. According to Mr. Mann Innocent Flesh has been a “frozen production” in workshops since 2010. Tuesday night’s performance was its official West Coast debut before it travels to New York City for an Off-Broadway premiere.

West Hollywood audiences are getting the first look. Having grown up in the business of theater since he was 5 years old, working with such greats over the years as Ed Sullivan, Jimmy Durante, Bette Davis, Milton Berle, Rob Reiner, Liza Minnelli (to name just a few), Mr. Mann is behind the show and the message. It is powerful. It is important. And it’s more than just a play.

According to Ms. Lethridge, it’s a movement—a massive vision that she plans to expand until everyone finally grabs their daughters, nieces, sisters and says, “I’m here for you.”

Innocent Flesh

Written and Directed by kenyetta Lethridge

Produced by Michael Mann, Diana C. Zollicoffer and Kenyetta Lethridge

Featuring: Daphne Gabriel, Clara Gabrielle, Jameelah Nuriddin, and Angelina Prendergast.

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