Theatrius
  • Now Playing
  • All Reviews
  • Writers
  • Reflections
  • Millennial Notes
  • Join Us
  • About Us
  • Search Icon

Theatrius

Theater Reviews—San Francisco and Beyond

“Dana H.” Tells Her Own Chilling & Amazing Story—at Berkeley Rep

“Dana H.” Tells Her Own Chilling & Amazing Story—at Berkeley Rep

June 16, 2022 bdhorwitz

Lucas Hnath’s Mother Links Violent Criminals to Police

by Barry David Horwitz

“Dana H.” tells us about a secret connection between extreme racist criminals and police co-conspirators. No wonder they only arrest demonstators at #BLM rallies and turn their heads when the Aryan Brotherhood brings AR-15s to peaceful protests.

Even in a bubble of privilege, can anyone be safe in such a country? “Dana H.” tells us that in the good old USA, especially in Florida and North Carolina, anything can happen to you at any time. Here a woman is kidnapped from her own house and held prisoner and tortured for five months, and even has to hide out afterwards to protect her family.

“Dana H” is a tape recording of playwright Lucas Hnath’s mother, Dana Higginbotham, telling the story of her abduction by a crazed and murderous member of the Aryan Brotherhood. Hnath has brilliantly edited his mother’s interview tapes down to 75 gripping minutes. In her own voice, Dana H. tells the story of her kidnapping, interviewed by Steve Cosson. But she is telling her own story.

Dana H. is played by the marvelous Jordan Baker who lip syncs to Dana’s words, listening to the tapes in her ear buds. Baker cannot hear the audience; and we hear only Dana H’s voice, a Herculean feat which Baker pulls off with touching grace.

As a Christian Evangelist counselor, Hnath’s mother helped serious prison offenders. But one night, a former patient named Jim propelled himself through a high window in her bathroom. Covered in glass and blood, he took her away to a cheap motel.

He hides her, often in plain sight, for over five months in a series of shabby motel rooms which set designer Andrew Boyce sums up in one wonderfully washed-out beige toned motel room. Baker sits for most of the play, subtly acting out Dana’s actual words. It’s a chilling and subtle performance, that brings nuances to her character. We feel like we know her.

Jordan Baker (Dana H.). Photo by Calvin Ngu/Berkeley Rep

It turns out that in cases like these, the police are no help. Dana H.’s tale exposes the fact that we live in a state of murder.

Even when Dana H. manages to break away from her abductor and runs to police, they side with the criminal. No one dares confront the brawny, tattooed prison veteran who has some hold over the police. Whenever she manages to run to an officer, they end up with an arm around the notorious convict’s shoulder. She proves that we live in a country where the police protect criminals and terrorists.

Her abductor, Jim, is a deep dyed criminal who has been killing people for profit and pleasure since he was an abused and rejected child. He’s a known prison leader who has power all over the country, even over police. He spent most of his life in prison, on meth, and running criminal conspiracies inside prison and out. He speaks the same language as the police, and they fear his allies, who kill at will.

What does this tell us? It tells us that there’s a network of conspiracy between the white supremacist gangs and the dubious police. Maybe there’s an insurrection waiting to burst out next door. To follow this thread, check the news, daily. And listen to Dana H. tell her stunning story at Berkeley Rep.

It’s a thrilling theatrical miracle that probes our country and our justice system down to the bone.

Jordan Baker (Dana H.). Photo by Calvin Ngu/Berkeley Rep

“Dana H.” by Lucas Hnath, adapted from interviews with Dana Higginbotham conducted by Steve Cosson, directed by Les Waters, scenic design by Andrew Boyce, lighting design by Paul Toben, at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Info: BerkeleyRep.org – to July 10, 2022.

Cast: Jordan Baker (Dana H.)

Banner photo: Jordan Baker as Dana H. Photo by Calvin Ngu/Berkeley Repertory Theatre


#BLM, Plays, solo shows
#BLM, Capitalism, Civil Rights, Colonialism, exploitation, Family, feminism, Florida, friendship, Identity, Injustice, love, patriarchy, police, politics, poverty, power, racism, religion, sex, social class, wit, women, Women's Rights, workers

Post navigation

NEXT
“Dream of the Red Chamber” Wins a Place in Operatic Canon—at SF Opera
PREVIOUS
“Hadestown” Rips Apart Industrial Capitalism with Love—at BroadwaySF
Comments are closed.

Menu

  • Now Playing
  • All Reviews
  • Writers
  • Reflections
  • Millennial Notes
  • Join Us
  • About Us

BLM

Black Lives Matter

Subscribe for upcoming reviews!
Loading

Current Shows

  • “Clyde’s”: Rough & Tumble Diner Serves Up Mixed Sandwiches—at Berkeley Rep
  • “Slow Food”: Three Superb Actors Serve Up Quick Laughs—at Altarena
  • “The Indigo Room” Magically Translates Indigenous Stories—at La MaMa, N.Y.
  • “The Never Too Late Show”: Tales of Hilarious Homeboy in Hollywood—at The Marsh
  • “Poetic Justice” Exalts Passionate Modern Poets—at The Marsh
  • “As You Like It”: Weaves Past & Future in Magical Forest—at SF Playhouse
  • “Beetlejuice, The Musical” Parties Hard and Fast—at BroadwaySF
  • “Hailie!” Celebrates the Queen of Gospel’s Triumphs—at Lorraine Hansberry
  • “Little Shop of Horrors”: Killer Plant Blooms in Chinatown—at TheatreWorks
  • “Ham for the Holidays” Lightens the Heart—at Main Stage West 
  • “Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski” Is Unforgettable—at Berkeley Rep
  • “A Year with Frog and Toad”: Episodes of Woodland Friendship—at BACT
  • “Shoshana in December”: A Holiday Musical for Jews & Polyamors—at Custom Made
  • “Wuthering Heights” Takes Us from Darkness to Light—at Berkeley Rep
  • “Natasha, Pierre & Great Comet of 1812”: A Musical Triumph—at Shotgun

About us:

If you want to see the best plays & performances around the San Francisco Bay or beyond, read our reviews. We promise to give you a true report on the best shows.
Bay Area Critics Circle

Barry David Horwitz, Editor of Theatrius, is a Voting Member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics' Circle, SFBATCC. Follow us on: facebook.com

© 2023   All Rights Reserved.