BWW Reviews: GLOBAL TAX DRIVER Could Use Clearer Directions

Global Taxi Driver/written & directed by Leilani Chan/David Henry Hwang Theater at East West Players/thru March 29, 2015

A talented ensemble energizes the Los Angeles premiere of playwright Leilani Chan's Global Taxi Driver, a collection of taxi drivers' stories from all over the world. Each of the skilled performers (Shaan Dasani, Elyse Dinh, Kenesha Hemmings, Joshua R. Lamont, Marcos Nájera, Ova Saopeng) play multiple roles as drivers, passengers, dispatchers, straight and gay, men and women.

Lamont nails his most dramatic scene as Mohammed-the brave, devoted Somalia camel herder turned taxi driver. Dasani appealingly naturalistic in his numerous roles with his Pee Wee Herman-sounding voice. Hemmings works her sass as the cab driving mother with her little son Keegan in the front seat with her. Saopeng very cute and childlike as Keegan. Saopeng, as well as Lamont and Nájera, very convincing in the female roles they portrayed. Nájera exhibits his versatile range from his female travellers to his commanding dispatcher to his naive teacher of "Safety 101." Dinh most effective in her roles as the quick-thinking fare thwarting unwelcomed advances from charming flirty driver Dasani and as the grieving mother-in-law of her just killed son-in-law, a newly taxi owner.

Chan directs the various skits more or less flowing into the next, some with definite endings, some not. Effective montage of taxis in various countries with their cultural differences and attitudes entertainingly shown. Lots of non-English dialogues make for non-involvement of the audience, although all had good command of their distinctive accents, especially Saopeng. The group proficiently handles Shyamala Moorty's choreographed movements, both abstract and literal. The skit of three politicians continuous intertwining their bodies during their Lyft/Uber vs taxi discussion seemed never-ending, possibly symbolizing the never-ending debate on Lyft/Uber vs taxis. Kedar Lawrence's video projections of various locales kept the visuals interesting behind the performers on a relatively bare stage.

Good work in progress. Love to see where the finished Global Taxi Driver will transport us.

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