Geetha Reddy’s Comedy Mixes Indian & U.S. Outrages by Mary Lou Herlihy A funny and deeply thoughtful new comedy by Geetha Reddy zigzags its way to a playful crescendo. “The Employee Dharma Handbook” had me in stitches and got me thinking about the insidiousness of social pecking orders. In Reddy’s play, modern capitalist hierarchy…
Lee Blessing Conjures Two Powerful Women Tangled in Cultural Conflict by Kheven Lee LaGrone According to Director Cat Brooks, the Lower Bottom Playaz does not simply entertain, they try to give a voice to their community. They also offer young people an opportunity to participate in live theater. Founded 27 years ago, Lower Bottom…
Yvonne Martinez Incites US to Be Brave Again by Mary Lou Herlihy “Scabmuggers” is full of passion. Spontaneous applause and snapping fingers make it clear—this play is about democracy. WE THE PEOPLE must continually and actively ask: “Which side are you on?” Playwright Yvonne Martinez tells her story about fighting to be treated with…
Shakespeare in the Park Returns, Joyfully & Inclusively, to New York by Andrea Libresco As the performance begins, multiple helicopters fly over the Delacorte Theater. While not a part of the production, the reminder of the creeping police state seems appropriate in this play with an immigrant woman as hero. The production carries us…