Larry Littany Litt
A
Joyous Celebration of HOME SWEET HOME or A Life In New York On a weather perfect early August day the street gods smiled on Theater for the New City. This was the premiere performance of the latest edition of TNC’s annual street theater production on their home turf, 10th Street between First and Second Avenues. The city kindly closed off the street. The weather was a blessing.
Titled “Home Sweet Home” this street theater is presented on a four wheeled flat bed stage like the classic European Commedia dell’arte stages. On the street there were audience chairs. Late comers could sit on milk cartons, the street’s curb or stand in the back or sidelines for the show. The PA system worked so everyone could hear the original songs by playwright/director Crystal Field and specific musical arrangements by composer Peter Dizozza.
From the opening minutes there was action and excitement onstage. Terry Lee King danced and led an ensemble in a tribute to ethnic origin dances from immigrant groups now living in New York City, all singing Field’s “We The People.” This was an inspiring prelude that led us to a Lower East Side bodega owned by Willie (Michael-David Gordon). Willie tells his chess buddy, fire fighter Tom (T. Scott Lilly) that he owns the most popular bodega in the neighborhood because he inherited it from his father whom people loved. The bodega has everything a person could want. “They don’t have to go to an expensive box store to get their needs. But more important, it has Willie.” He’s a defender of the old time neighborhood, a loaner of money without interest, and a good friend to all. “I’m why people want to live in New York City.”
Sets change. We’re at a community Center getting ready for an Immigrant’s Day celebration. Dancers from many nations enter and work their ensemble magic while they sing”This is New York,” a tribute to the immigrants who actually built New York. The singing and dancing are a revelation and a reminder that we are an immigrant city. The point of all this celebration is to spend an afternoon being entertained by a provocative and historical theater event in and of New York and its hard working immigrants. You will not just be entertained with what are essentially patriotic songs but you will walk away singing about our city, our “Home Sweet Home.”
With all the fear being spread by the current administration it’s important to know that there are theater artists who are not in the least cowed by the fear the ICE Man (JC Augustin) try so hard to make us feel. This street theater is a reminder that we are still out here in the streets to tell New Yorkers what it like to live in and love New York.
I’m not giving anything away but you must stay for the stalemate chess scene with Russian chess expert Victor Victoriovov (Mark Marcante). You will want to play chess with him. However he can’t teach you his technique.
There’s one scene that will always stick in my head. The Statue of Liberty (Cheryl Gadsden) tells the racist ICE soldiers and the president that as long as we can let immigrants into our shores we will be great. Yes, we willl be great, immigrant strong and immigrant proud. Visit the TNC Street Theater for a joyous celebration of our city and beliefs. SCHEDULE
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