Jason Bayani Brings Poetry Slam Vibe to Migrant Tales by Irene Nelson Jason Bayani’s passionate one man show alternates between poetry, storytelling, and film to tell us his personal story, an episode in the last wave of Filipino migrants to the U.S. He pieces together the struggle to establish identity, and reveals how the…
Playwright David Williamson Grapples with Sex and Power by Irene Nelson For thirty years I worked for unions—representing members on both sides of sexual harassment charges. For me, Firescape Theatre’s “Brilliant Lies” achieves the impossible by taking us past the bullshit and into the realites of these showdowns. David Williamson shows how facts matter…
Samm-Art Williams Delivers a Lyrical Epic of Great Migrations by Irene Nelson The words of Samm-Art Williams’ “Home” knock me out—down-home country dialogue or poetic narrative, it’s all woven into the rhythm and movement of the blues, jazz, and spirituals. Sly, humorous story-telling and sweet memories combine with shockingly bad times to make “Home”…
Saïd Sayrafiezadeh Laughs at Himself, and US, Too by Irene Nelson My seat mate poked me, snorted and said,”Look at the program. This actor bio has her thanking her sorority sisters, do you believe it?” I had already read the director’s intro about speaking as a “White man” whose “duty” was to allow “those…