OUT 1051--STAGE REVIEW--GITANA PRODUCTIONS presents INALIENABLE RIGHTS FROM PEARL HARBOR to 9/11 @RAC until SEPT 25

‘Rights’ Takes Thesis View On American Tragedies

By Ma’at Atkins

The program booklet’s front cover has the tag, “Find out what it means to look like the enemy in America during a crisis!”

In this case, being Japanese after the Japanese militia bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii leading into WWII in 1941 and Arab after the Saudi Arabic plane bombings of the World Trade Center Twin Towers in New York

Written by Lee Patton Charles (who’s father was a Japanese man living in Hawaii during WWII), “Inalienable ”has various cast of characters playing different roles during the time periods and plays like a staged, dramatic thesis comparing and contrasting both tragic events (eg. One cast member says, “Arabs were not forced into internment camps but they were forced in a mental internment camps.”) The play is also backdropped by a movable stage and a three-paneled wall resembling The Constitution assorted with pictures of the aforementioned people who lived through both time periods with large “constituted” idioms (“We the People”).

The multiethnic cast (which also includes young students in Gitana’s Global Education Through the Arts Program) also plays various roles between the time periods. Case in point—actor L.A. Williams who plays a porter during the First Act and a friend of an Arab Muslim (played by Ahmed Hassan). Williams in particular stands out in “Inalienable” especially during the second act during his chilling dilemma being trapped in one of the Towers and hope for being rescued (Kevin Kline Award judges take note!).

This production is a must see for those who are analysts of history and connoisseurs of historic-based drama.

It plays at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar, in Central West End

until Sept 25

Friday and Saturday7:30 PM

and Sunday 3pm Matinee

For ticket info call 314.721.6556

More info go to www.gitana-inc.org