Review: YOU ARE NOW THE OWNER OF THIS SUITCASE - A Global 'Edutainment' Family Experience at West End Theatre

YOU ARE NOW THE OWNER OF THIS SUITCASE

Conceived and directed by Ari Laura Kreith
Written by Mando Alvarado, Jenny Lyn Bader, Barbara Cassidy, Les Hunter, Joy Tomasko, Gary Winter, Stefanie Zadravec

Performances Now through May 1 at West End Theatre, New York, NY.

As I walked into the West End Theatre on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in the Spring here in NYC I found myself unexpected for the interesting "edutainment" experience I was soon to encounter. Before entering the theatre, we were asked to look at a map on the wall and mark a spot of our personal origin. I admit that I had to think a moment as to exactly how many dots to mark. So many of us come from different areas of the world and this process was fascinating to start with and put me immediately in touch with visions of my relatives past and present in my mind.

This creatively staged production is being held inside the wonderful space at The West End Theatre @ The Church of St. Paul & St Andrew on West 86th st in Manhattan. Filled with a talented cast of splendid performances, this geographical and magical journey transported the audience with imaginative staging, colors and a story line that reaches out and touches the heart. Perfect for all ages, "You Are Now the Owner of This Suitcase" made me think about how we are all interconnected. The word that best comes to mind is the yiddish word"bershert" which translated means, meant to be. After all, what is our destiny? Who are we to love? Who is there to love us? The mystery of life and all connections will forever be just that, a mystery.

"You Are Now the Owner of This Suitcase" expressively addresses these questions with original twists and turns utilizing captivating characters . Heartfelt moments of unpredictable relationships wove a tapestry of emotions and left me asking my own questions of personal journeys, history, family and love.

A bit about the storyline:

A young woman arriving in New York City from Ecuador accidentally switches suitcases with a mysterious stranger. Her quest to recover the missing suitcase leads her to encounter lovers, dreamers, fighters, a magical cell phone, books that come to life, and the best guitar player in the world. Created by seven authors and combining magic realism with urban grit,You Are Now the Owner of This Suitcase melds a multiplicity of styles into one voice.

You Are Now the Owner of This Suitcase is part of Theatre 167's Jackson Heights Trilogy, a series of three full-length plays collectively written by 18 playwrights in 14 languages. Inspired by international folktales, You Are Now the Owner of This Suitcase explores the emotional topography of the most culturally diverse neighborhood in the world, Jackson Heights.

You Are Now the Owner of This Suitcase features Mariana Cardenas, Tori Ernst, Nathaniel Gotbaum, John D. Haggerty, Kevis Hillocks, Michael Markham, Elodie Morss, Mauricio Pita and Derick James Sherrier and is written by Mando Alvarado, Jenny Lyn Bader, Barbara Cassidy, Les Hunter, Joy Tomasko, Gary Winter, and Stefanie Zadravec; conceived and directed by Ari Laura Kreith; with set by Jen Price Fick; lighting by Jason Fok; costumes by Jessa-Raye Court; projections by Arthur Vincie and sound by Andy Evan Cohen.

Performance Schedule:
Fri Apr 15 at 7pm
Sat Apr 16 at 8pm
Sun Apr 17 at 3pm * matinee Sun Apr 17 at 7pm
Sat Apr 23 at 8pm
Sun Apr 24 at 3pm *matinee Sun Apr 24 at 7pm
Fri Apr 29 at 7pm
Sat Apr 30 at 8pm
Sun May 1 at 3pm * matinee Sun May 1 at 7pm

Location:

You Are Now the Owner of This Suitcase is performed at the West End Theatre at the Church of Saint Paul and St. Andrew (263 W 86th Street b/w West End Ave. and Broadway). 1 train to 86th Street stop.

More info at:

www.theatre167.org
Tickets: $18/$16 (full price, students/seniors)

Kamen Entertainment Group, Inc. NYC

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