UNDESIREABLE ELEMENTS: GENERATION NYZ: Show Review by Sarah Moss
On the eve before the day reserved to memorialize Dr. Martin Luther, King Jr. it was fitting to explore the intersections of race, culture, history, art, media and technology in the 25th anniversary production of Ping Chong + Company’s community-specific series. No fanfare, glitz or dazzle needed, just the raw stories of 7 young people (Edwin Aguila, Monica Victoria Tatacoya Castaneda, Syl (Andrea) Egerton, Mohammed Murtaza, De-Andra Pryce, Porscha Polkahantis Rippy and Rafael Rosario) ages 18-22, as they discover their inner strength and maneuver through the difficulties of growing up as immigrants, individuals and New Yorkers.
The audience mirrored the actors, an eclectic mix of wild-eyed, beautiful and intriguing people; engaged and ready to hear stories similar to their own. Where, I respect and enjoy a great narrative, especially for the coming of age generation, the stories were not that out of the ordinary. Perhaps, that is the real truth of the immigrant story, today the struggles may involve cell phones or in the case of Rafael Rosario, the desire for a cell phone; not much has changed.
The one hour, 10 minute “seated opera for the spoken word” with no intermission, was not overtly political, but did touch upon the current issues in a respectful manner. The stylistic method of transferring between the narratives was executed well and kept the audience focused. The lighting provided visual stimulation as we shifted from storyteller. The seven storytellers were all brave, as assimilating to a new country is never easy and the challenges they face are not new. Only the way they face their own self-discovery and eventually find their own voice, is new.
Generation NYZ was created by internationally acclaimed artist and pioneer Ping Chong, Co-directed and Co-written by Sara Zatz and Kirya Traber, Executive Director Bruce Allardice, Production Associate Courtney Golden ,Projections Designer Katherine Freer, and Lighting Designer Marika Kent.
The show runs through January 21 at The Duke on 42nd Street. Visit NewVictory.org.
