A while ago, my friend and I went to Baruch Performing Arts Center to watch a play called Arden/Everywhere. The director of the play is Jessica Bauman and she gave us a glance into refugees’ life. The story was set in a Modern time and located in a country where a coup happened. After the coup, the old duke moved into the Forest of Arden which symbolized the refugee communities. I would say the play is successful. I had watched some Broadway show before but hadn’t seen a small production until this play. The show did better than my exception; its visual effects and actors performances are extraordinary.
The theater.
The theater was small and seatings were not assigned. Thus we just found a spot and sat. To be honest, the play is hard to understand. The style of English, Shakespeare, is hard to understand. I did keep track with the story with the help of synopsis, but I can’t understand many dialogues between characters. Though some fun were missed, actors performances did make some compensation for it. Actors acted vividly, and they present the story well. Moreover, fighting elements and lighting effects incorporated perfectly. There was a fight scene in slow-motion. The fight is very intensive and exciting. The change of lighting showed transaction between fighters and created a breath-taking environment. Before I thought small productions with have little visual effects and a lot of dialogue; I guess I was wrong.
Beside from the acting, the play gives an insightful story. The ending is striking and thoughtful on the issues of refugee and made people think. In conclusion, this is a good play. For those who didn’t see it, I am sorry that you missed it.