A family’s brightest hopes and darkest fears do battle in the first presentation of “Immigrant Voices.” This series at Queens Theatre in the Park (QTIP) is part of their play development program. Entitled “Vine Tata” (“Daddy’s Coming”), the emotional repercussions endured by a freed Romanian political prisoner and his family are revealed. A truly riveting effort, it is based on a true event. Performances will run until October 19, on Wednesdays through Sundays.
Written by acclaimed playwright Irina Eremia Bragin, the story peers meekly then boldly into the lives of a 1990’s American family. At Friday evening’s performance, Ms. Bragin’s characters participate in a bittersweet reunion. Ileana (Rita Rehn) and her mother Marianna (Gloria Hodes) have mixed emotions as they await the return of now elderly patriarch Ion (Robert Zukerman).
Stubbornly refusing to recant his writings against the Romanian government, Ion has doomed his family to a life of struggle. He is free after 25 years in solitary confinement. Marianna has reluctantly abandoned her dreams of stardom when she is thrust into the realities of raising her daughter. Ileana may be as stubborn and nave as her father with just as many dire consequences. Ion’s life has been withered by his loyalty to his principles. Yet he may ultimately become the most emotionally liberated member of his family.
As the reunion unfolds, the playwright challenges the audience’s intellect as well as its emotions. Ileana’s husband Mike (Jon Krupp) is not a displaced European but is pursued by different fears. Is competition for the best schools, best jobs, and the latest health foods any less stressful than fearing a totalitarian regime? Daughter Lisa (Rachel Viola) has never met her grandfather. She is engulfed in the battles of adolescence along with her best friend Kim (Leah Jacobs). Do smart teen girls have more secrets and social pressures than a girl does in a repressed European police state?
Producer Brian Swasey continues to enhance his reputation with an outstanding cast. Gloria Hodes is an OBIE and Theatre Award winner. Rita Rehn has appeared in the TONY award winning “Nine”. Jon Krupp is a veteran of popular TV shows playing heavies. Brilliantly disarming Robert Zukerman and almost everyone in the cast is Actor’s Equity with extensive professional credentials.
In addition to an outstanding cast, director Tom Rowan utilizes a deceptive set design (Mark Bloom) lighting (Diana Kesselschmidt) and sound (Joshua Higgason) to place the performers in modern situations in the U.S. then propel them to dark days in Europe. Call the box office at 718-760-0064 or go online at www.queenstheatre.org
Bacons Egg on Crowd for Peace
Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael’s performances at QTIP this weekend were more than a few dozen good natured, clever songs. Many of their lyrics underscored stronger political views. In “Children” they call on the world’s major religions; “You believe what you believe. Please don’t hurt the children!”
