Kodi Jackman and Nathan Mohebbi (Photo by Brian Hashimoto)
Reviewed by Lovell Estell III
Boston Court Theatre
Through Oct. 27
There are some genuinely engaging elements in playwright Keyanna Khatiblou’s drama, but the piece is sharply compromised by its uneasy, labored structure.
The play is formatted as a party (on a stage colorfully festooned by scenic designer Stephen Gifford) where a group of friends gather to “play games, reflect on the current socio-political landscape” and “discover truths” about the relationship of the parents of Mina (Mehrnaz Mohammadi), the hostess. Their romance was formed amidst the bloody chaos of the Iranian Revolution.
These two narrative strands never achieve effective, harmonious integration. If they had, the play would have been a lot less confusing, and more easily accessible.
The audience glimpses the lives of a disparate group of millennials who are navigating the ever-changing complexities of multicultural America — something the playwright generally succeeds in conveying. Gathered for the party are Kate (Kodi Jackman), Ryan (Nathan Mohebbi), Mateo (Giovanny Camarena), who is openly gay, and Debbie (Cindy Nguyen), who later on speaks with commendable perception and impact about the challenges she faces as an Asian American.
The ensemble — all cast members play dual roles throughout — perform with admirable energy under the direction of James Fowler.
Boston Court Pasadena, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. Thurs.-Sat., 8 pm; thru Oct. 27. www.bostoncourt.com Running time: 95 minutes with no intermission.
