Theatre Review: Disgraced

This will be a short review - for a short play.  "Disgraced" runs 83 minutes without intermission.  It is the 2013 Pulitzer Prize winner for drama.  I never lost interest for a second during those 83 minutes - it was quite spellbinding as it tackled many 'taboo' subject matters: Islamaphobia, Anti-Semitism, self-identify, duplicity, ethnic prejudice, self-hatred and Affirmative Action.  Yes, that is a lot of hot topics for 83 minutes.

 "Disgraced" is about the drive for upward mobility among non-white Americans when they believe success requires them to "act White"; to hide and even denounce their family ethnic history, customs, name and identify.  I could identify with some of what was addressed, but learning to be American with an Italian last name is quite different from learning to be American with a non-White complexion or coming from a non-Christian tradition.  This is a play that may require a 2nd or 3rd viewing for me to completely digest.

 The lead actor, Hari Dhillon, was adequate in his performance.  But the 4 supporting players (Gretchen Moll, Josh Radnor, Karen Pittman and Danny Ashok) were all excellent.  I saw a preview performance - so it can only get better from here.  Not everybody's cup of tea - but I found it thought-provoking.  

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