In Ngozi Anyanwu's Off-Broadway debut at the Atlantic, a bestselling novelist returns to Nigeria to care for her ailing father, but before she can bury him, she must relearn the traditions she’s long forgotten. More…
Having been absent for over a decade, she must collide with her culture, traumatic past, painful regrets, and the deep, deep love she thought she could never have.
See it if you're interested in Nigerian life. THC is rich w/music, clothing, Igbo, attitudes (some lovely, some ugly). Well-staged, well-plotted.
Don't see it if you want fully likable characters or a brisk pace. Carping at ea other is presented as ok. Forgiveness granted for dad's cruel response.Why?
See it if you enjoy family sagas set in Africa with a hint of mystery and misdirection, "return to home" stories, romance with personal barriers
Don't see it if you don't enjoy "family" plays that are slow to reveal its secrets & jump around in time, take place in a culture that may discomfort you,
See it if you're interested in cultural differences between LA and Nigeria; a woman's experiences as a child and how it shapes her; joy and tears.
Don't see it if you don't care for family themes, a tale that jumps around in time and can be confusing; moving away from home doesn't always make u happy.
See it if you enjoy plays that jump around from the present to the past to magical realism. You enjoy plays that say you can go home again.
Don't see it if you find it challenging to follow when a play is in the present or past. You are not interested in different cultures.
Also Beautifully staged. Ngozi Anyanwu is a writer to keep your eye on. Alt... Read more Read less
See it if you like plays that make you think, that aren't strictly linear, and have great design elements, terrific acting, and have something to say
Don't see it if you are looking for a big brashy musical or a romantic comedy. There is a lot of music & comedy in this, but it is woven into the play.
See it if a story about going home (Nigeria) and facing painful memories; Nigerian culture with its language, dress, customs..
Don't see it if you don't like moving family dramas, want something uplifting, want chorus in one location
Also The chorus act as members of the extended family and they are frequent... Read more Read less
See it if You have appreciated the myriad of African plays by African women on stage over the past six months or you are interested in acculturation.
Don't see it if You are intolerant of uneven pacing or not being able to see all the action, depending on your seat.
Also I wanted to like this more than I did.
See it if You particularly enjoy a return to damaged roots type story with all the elements turned up to eleven.
Don't see it if You like a touch of subtlety and would prefer protagonist to have some redeeming qualities before the magical realist ending
See it if you love a good "going home" story told from a different perspective
Don't see it if African drama or stories about trauma are not for you.
See it if you want a fascinating study of another culture that is relevant to our own.
Don't see it if you're not interested in dramas about Africa, women-dominated casts or have difficulty with actors speaking with accents.
See it if you are interested in how people interact and how their pasts can disable and distort their ability to make connections. Well done portrayal
Don't see it if you need a linear plot line. There is a small degree of confusion in timing and in the final scene as to whether it is wishful thinking
See it if you'd like to see a conventional plot in an unconventional setting with some very good acting.
Don't see it if you are looking for something really fresh, insightful and challenging.
See it if you want to ponder immigrant experience in the particular and nature of belonging. If you want to puzzle through shifting time sequences.
Don't see it if you want mindless and relaxing entertainment. Need to stay on your toes to follow characters and their relationship. So worthwhile though!
See it if You like intense drama & are comfortable exploring regret, fear, vengeance, longing and considering how trauma has shaped your choices
Don't see it if An African centered plot would be a turnoff, if you are looking for something light or if you have recently survived a traumatic experience
Also Ngozi Anyanwu's story begins with the uncomfortable arrival of Kelechi... Read more Read less
See it if you think you'd like a slowly-building drama about a woman returning from the U.S. after many years to see her father in Africa.
Don't see it if or rather unless you want something sentimental.
See it if Personal journeys, cultural conflicts, families
Don't see it if Don’t appreciate African culture
See it if you're open to different cultures. The story is interesting, the staging is clever and the ending leaves you thinking.
Don't see it if you're expecting a traditional plot, climax, and denouement. The play could use a little editing, at one hour 45 minutes, no intermission
See it if A universal theme with a fascinating background. Well acted and directed.
Don't see it if you have no interest in themes that reverberate in other parts of the world and have universal interest.
See it if questions of how culture and upbringing shape us all intrigue you
Don't see it if flashbacks and a nonlinear plot confuse you
See it if Interested in modern African life and culture
Don't see it if Want light fare. This is about a woman suffering from post traumatic stress disorder years after she beaten and raped as a young woman.
Also As a psychiatric nurse I am always interested in how mental illness an... Read more Read less
See it if great play about a woman returning to her home village in Arfrica
Don't see it if the play requires that you pay attention and wait for the end to figure it out
See it if you like a play that is about other cultures. The issues could be applied to all families and communities. Also includes a good chorus.
Don't see it if you are upset by the issue of sexual assault and violence.
See it if Family dramas with real psychological depth appeal to you; you are intrigued by the dynamics of the immigrant perspective
Don't see it if Spending time with other cultures does not resonate for you; you need a theater piece to answer all questions you might have quickly
Also This beautiful family drama is not as large in scope as the sociopolit... Read more Read less
See it if You appreciate complex narratives combining memories with on-going confrontations, good acting and excellent use of a tiny stage.
Don't see it if You like straightforward narratives, a larger physical stage, and a resolution that's not a fantasy. You don't like mixtures of cultures.
See it if You suspect Thomas Wolfe was right - but need confirmation, or if you might like old themes rewarmed in an interesting way.
Don't see it if You are impatient with themes that have already been explored and just want to move on.