Anna Deavere Smith Reignites Struggle over Police Brutality by Patricia L. Morin Twilight: Los Angeles, the PBS movie, resurrects the explosive problem of police brutality. Raging riots ignited over the acquittal of four officers who savagely beat Rodney King on March 3, 1991. Now, thirty years later, we are faced with the murders of…
Madhuri Shekar Explores a Compulsive Gamer’s World by Patricia L. Morin World of Warcraft—WoW—is an actual online role-playing game that Madhuri Shekar creatively weaves into “In Love and Warcraft.” Shekar’s play tells us about the young gamers’ frustrations, their avatars, and real-life crushes. Choosing one’s own avatar empowers these gamers in special ways. Shy…
Lisa Tierney-Keogh Depicts Sharp Irish Debates on Gender & Race by Patricia L. Morin In Lisa Tierney-Keogh’s “This Beautiful Virtual Village,” six feisty members of a residents’ association outside Dublin make Zoom their stage. Malvina Reynolds’ song “Little Boxes” plays in the background. All the members have opinions on the obscene, sexist slur that…
Josh Luxenberg Creates an Adventure in a Box by Patricia L. Morin “The 7th Voyage of Egon Tichy” maps new territory for online theater. Theater in Quarantine’s video and electronic innovations blend set, story, sound, and character into a technologically advanced miniature wonderland. Playing bumbling astronaut Egon Tichy, Joshua William Gelb transforms his 8’x…