Part of FringeNYC: The weaving of four generations of women: their choices, how one woman leads to another, and the links between them all. Told from the great-granddaughter's perspective as she searches for her connection to the past and the strength to move forward.
... Read moreCategories: Solo Show, Drama, Local. Written by Jessica Wanamaker. Directed by Tomer Adorian.
FROM THE ARTIST;
After a sold out premier in the United Solo International Theater Festival last fall, Inheritance returns to New York with a deepened story and expanded direction as part of the 20th annual New York International Fringe Festival – Fringe NYC. Telling the true story of actress Jessica Wanamaker, this one-woman show explores the mysterious echoes that reverberate through the three generations of women that came before her. Traumas recur, questions persist, and the search for answers follow a journey from Ireland to the United states, over a 100-year period. What things can be changed, what things do we own, and what things must be inherited?
Jessica Wanamaker holds an MFA in Acting from the New School University in New York, and her story touches on the major themes and issues affecting women today, both deeply personal and also universal. She is proud to have self-directed and self-produced this updated and expanded version of the show.
"The recounting of their moving stories is incredibly relevant to conversations about gender that are happening today. These stories can and should be told...Ultimately, 'Inheritance' could use a little more time and fine-tuning to reach its full communicative potential...Putting that aside, however, Wanamaker tells her family’s stories movingly, and in so doing she opens our minds to questions about the present female predicament." Full Review
"Jessica Wanamaker, writer/director/actress of 'Inheritance,' gave a stunning portrayal of this woman...Throughout the piece as she became different people, Jessica stripped a layer of clothing off. This was such a bold and defining choice. There was no set, no visual metaphor, so she used her body as the physical metaphor...'Inheritance' was so simple, so naked and exposed that the audience felt like they knew this actress on stage." Full Review
See it if You value women's independence and intelligence and are curious about the relationships among the experiences and differences of generations
Don't see it if You do not care about women's independence and intelligence or become overwrought hearing disturbing and graphic personal stories
See it if If you want to see a moving piece acted with intelligence, skill and empathy.
Don't see it if If you don't want to know the truth about gender-bias in this country.
See it if You are a woman, love a woman, are related to a woman. If you are drawn to glaringly personal survival stories, this is for you.
Don't see it if serious issues are more than you can handle. Not gonna lie-- this is heavy stuff, but she will lift you up if you give her the chance.
See it if You want to see a REAL, beautiful, and absolutely heartbreaking play. Only wish it were longer!
Don't see it if You are uncomfortable with discussing violence against women (which you should get over since women deal with it every day).
See it if You're interested in women's stories
Don't see it if You don't want to talk about violence against women
See it if you like finding patterns in ancestry and you are a feminist.
Don't see it if you are triggered by subject matter involving rape or abortion.
See it if You are interested in the rich history of womanhood.
Don't see it if You are opposed to sensitive topics such as abortion.
See it if you are interested in receiving healing from decisions you have made in your life as in our society they would have been judged.
Don't see it if If you are not interested in women's issues
See it if You are interested in your own family's history
Don't see it if you don't want to discuss violence against women
See it if You are interested in stories about women.
Don't see it if If you can't stomach stories about violence against women.
See it if you appreciate a brave, narrative tale of lessons learned along generational lines.
Don't see it if you aren't interested in women's issues