The Thanksgiving Play by Larissa Fasthorse - 2m, 2f
Good intentions collide with absurd assumptions in Larissa FastHorse’s wickedly funny satire, as a troupe of terminally “woke” teaching artists scrambles to create a pageant that somehow manages to celebrate both Turkey Day and Native American Heritage Month.
posted by Larisa at 8:53 PM
7 Comments:
This play, while pretty clever, really is just a 7 minute SNL sketch that has been stretched out far too long - of course since it is satire, the characters aren't really genuine, they are stereotypes, but that gets tiresome for a full length play because they don't have relationships or interactions that seem real and there is little interesting conflict. And the young female character is appalling - written to be stupid and willing to get sexual favors to get acting jobs - yuck.
I loved this. The satire is smart and the physical gags keep it moving. It knows what it is and leans into it completely. I laughed out loud several times while reading and cringed so much (in the best way).
It would require very good comedic director who knows how to keep on the razor-thin edge of "too much." Poorly directed, it could cross into "very offensive."
I truly don't know how our audiences would react to this one. It is edgy, but can also be thought provoking and funny. It is very timely - I think it would be a good risk.
While I enjoyed it most of it, I'm not sure our audience base would like it. I think they would find it too offensive. I agree with Linda that the woman "actor" was not appealing at all. I vote on passing on this one.
I had my doubts when I recommended it last year. It seemed to check a number of boxes the Board was looking for. I don't know how our audiences would react to it. As Larisa suggests, without the right director, it could be a disaster.
I did not like it. It felt very much like a lecture, and I don't think it is the right fit for the world right now. The challenge that we are facing is how to encourage audiences back and I don't think this would do it. I would not mind it as much without the "teaching lessons," but it feels to me like a dig at teachers and their trying to integrate diversity into lesson plans.
Just when I would find myself enjoying this, the next moment or scene would jettison any good feelings I was having. Still, for what it, is it could be entertaining. I think there are probably theaters or other venues that could get away with producing this for a very targeted audience, but I can see absolutely no reason for TRP to do this one. I agree with the comparison to an SNL sketch but there's not enough substance to support a full-length play. It's no for me.
This was one of my favorites. I kept laughing out loud and reading parts of it to my family. It just seemed so authentic to conversations people have trying to make sure they aren't being offensive but having to make all those decisions in a room without the people we are trying not to offend. I thought this was very clever.
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