Reviewer: Howard Steven Frydman aka “The Howard”
Production: Sanctuary City
Theater: TheaterWorks Hartford
Playwright: Martyna Majok
Director: Jacob G. Padron & Pedro Bermudez
The Howard says – “Sanctuary City –“ To Dream the Impossible Dream”
To dream the impossible dream, to fight the unbeatable foe, to bear unbearable sorrow – to run where the brave dare not go” to find “Sanctuary” in a new homeland and ultimately live the life of your dreams. This is the quest of our two teenage dreamers, undocumented immigrants, aptly named like their uncertain future’s “G” & “B”, in the thought provoking, landmark theatrical production “Sanctuary City” by Pulitzer Prize Winner Martyna Majok. Produced in partnership with New Haven’s “Long Wharf Theater”, “Sanctuary City” is directed by Jacob G. Padron and Pedro Bermudez. “Sanctuary City”, recipient of a prestigious Obie Award, will be in production till April 25, 2024 – the day after The Howard’s birthday! With a backdrop of immigration policies – we enter a world where friendships and loyalty are tested, and the ultimate dream of finding a new home, far from one’s country of birth, is the ultimate dream, impossible or not.
Names in novels and plays often described traits from hero to villains – Within “Sanctuary City,” our two main protagonists are given the singular names of letters, “G” and “B,” – Why? Girl and Boy? It must mean something – right? In my mind’s eye, – “G” may be thought of representing wisdom, awakenings, a quest for truth, and truly those innocent “giggles of a child”, while “B” some say represents “feminine energy” and striving to live a fulfilling life in a safe and secure home. Zounds – shades of Ironic and Iconic interpretations!! I think we have something here – what is driving these characters? Read on McDuff! – The location, Newark, New Jersey, a Sanctuary City, the Winter of 2001 – here we meet teenage high school friends, and the already mentioned consonants – “G” & “B”. At plays start, “G” (Sara Gutierrez), having climbed the fire escape this night, is lurking outside the 4th floor apartment window of “B” (Grant Kennedy Lewis) – banging on the window, cold and desperate for her own Sanctuary from her abusive father’s continued bashing and bruising. For both “G” & “B” – “Mia Culpa”- to report the continued beatings may bring on the fallout of an eventual deportation. So young to have these adult concerns!
Zoom, Zip Zap – it’s a Time Warp – Playwright Martyna Majok, during the first half of this one hour & 40-minute production, takes us on a “time-tunnel” journey of mini-moments, repeating the same period of time, over and over. Such as the “G” & “B”’s duo conspiracy to explain G’s reason for not being in school, her toxic father’s continued battering of G’s mother and herself. Coming up with creative reasons so as to not having to explain G’s various bruises- “just tell them I fell”, “the flu”, “chicken pox” and ultimately “lice”- “Don’t say lice”. This structure of time repeating- can be a bit overwhelming at times, it sets one’s mind a twirling- and definitely brings about a “Kafkaesque” mindsight- presenting a bleak nightmarish environment of bureaucracy found in the “Sanctuary City” and incredible scenarios on how to circumvent the law. “G” and “B” lifelong friends – but never truly romantic- enter “Henry”- (Mishka Yarovoy), yes, a person with an actual name. As they strive to avoid deportation, what will be the outcome for these friends and lovers as they seek the ultimate dream, – a safe haven, a home, and family. Dreamers – do you dare to enter “Sanctuary City” – where they take away your name and give you a letter?
Once again, from my vantage point, we must state our extreme appreciation for those providing the “mood” of this production of “Sanctuary City”. From set design, lighting, sound and to an absolutely stellar Projection and Video Design. Folks from the onset design, “The Howard” gracefully states, Theater Works Creativity team, is “Exquisitely Exceptional.” The creative team for Sanctuary City includes Emmie Finkel (set design), Sarita Fellows (costume design), Paul Whitaker (lighting design), Fabian Obispo (sound design), and Pedro Bermudez (Production & Video Design). Our cast- as always- TheaterWorks has provided theatergoer an outpouring of creative acting talent-superb! The cast for “Sanctuary City” features Sara Gutierrez as “G”, Grant Kennedy Lewis as “B”, and Mishka Yarovoy as “Henry”. This passionate and “oh so” dynamic cast bring these characters to vibrant life – tugging at our heart one moment, bringing a tear the next. Thank you TheaterWorks for providing this exceptional entry of live theater to theatergoers everywhere. Enjoy!
Performances of Sanctuary City will take place March 28 – April 25, 2024 at TheaterWorks Hartford’s historic home, located at 233 Pearl Street, Hartford, CT. The performance schedule is Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2:30pm and 8pm, and Sundays at 2:30pm. The running time is 100 minutes with no intermission. Please visit twhartford.org for more information.
Howard Steven Frydman is General Manager and Executive Director of BATV – Channels 5, 95 & 96 and a member of the CCC. Please feel free to contact Mr. Frydman with your thoughts and ideas at TheHoward24@gmail.com.
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