As Arthur Miller once said: “The theater cannot disappear because it is the only art in which humanity confronts itself”.
I begin with this quote to express the state of fascination I was left in after attending what could have been a simple puppet show last Sunday at the grand theater of Brooklyn College, and which, to my good fortune, has become one of my favorites of the year.
A group of curious rats, collectors of layers of paint and wallpaper, treasure one hundred years of stories from the families who have lived in this apartment and faced with the imminent news of the building’s demolition, decide to share them with us.
But what rats, ladies and gentlemen! What performers! So well trained in the scenic arts. Actors portraying rats, manipulating handheld rod puppets. Mask theater, shadow theater, original creations designed to tell these stories. Impeccably dressed actors, surrounded by a large creative team that delivers a magical, eloquent, and light selection of props. Original music that energizes and captivates, along with a precise lighting design, guide us through this master class in the migratory history of our humanity in the city of New York.
What are we willing to risk for the well being of our family? How far would we go to fulfill our dreams and the dreams of those we love? What are our personal battles? Which battles are familial or social? Do we have a sense of belonging? Do we care about our surroundings, or do we limit ourselves to breathing our own air and pretending not to notice reality? These are just some of the many questions that continue to echo in my mind after seeing the performance.
What an extraordinary dramaturgical treasure we have here. We could nourish ourselves forever from this infinite source, even more so when the apartment is located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York, the capital of the world. It brings me back to moments in improvisation training when I am told to tell stories that happen to us, to start from our daily lives, to understand that reality is our greatest wealth because it almost always surpasses fiction. There are stories so marvelous they seem unbelievable, yet they are true and connect us because they speak to us about life and humanity.
This work by the company Grand Pistachio, is a stroke of genius by Rachel Sullivan and Liz Parker, the result of more than ten years of work, study, and research, and it conquers and will continue to conquer audiences around the world. A deep, concise, and delicate piece, conceived to educate and enchant while breaking down stigmas. Tearing down barriers through theater and creating intellectual yet accessible content for children, young people, and audiences of all ages is an achievement worthy of every recognition, a work that should be required viewing and that truly deserves to go viral.
On this occasion we attended Layer the Walls Part II. Part I was canceled the previous weekend due to the heavy snowstorm we experienced in the city. We will be following and recommending their work closely, eager to see the first part and all of their future creations.
We want to give a standing ovation to the actors, directors, designers, producers, and the entire team behind this wonderful production, which in addition to the live performance offers workshops, reference materials, educational activities, and historical context.
For more information and upcoming dates, see: https://grandpistachio.com/layerthewalls
We are giving this 5 / 5 Ds (D D D D D)
