A: Is for Art soon to be gone

The Ohio Theatre is one of New York's oldest downtown theaters. Founded in 1984 they nurtured the works of Tony Kushner, and became a launching pad for this generation's most talented artists. They are like most staples of the art scene, sadly about to become extinct. Before they do, you can experience this wonderful theater and become immersed in Soho's Think Tank's newest political satire, Red-Haired Thomas. As the show opens a sickly Thomas Jefferson states he is the father of "The Pursuit of Happiness" by the end he is healthy and has us questioning what is that, and do we, as humans deserve it. As the drama unfolds and our American values are put under a microscope I realized the set was a giant abstract American flag. Made up of past president, blue runners, red columns and stacks of newspapers that has are our history chronicled. By the end, it is stripped down and we are left like the newspaper torn, tattered, confused, trapped in thought and slightly blowing, trying to meekly escape. Jefferson (Alan Benditt) is reminiscent of Jonathan Pryce. As we leave the past we meet Cliff (Peter Sprague), professional gambler and his redheaded daughter Abby (Nicole Raphel). Due to a governmental blip Abby now has to pay 8 quarters a day to take the bus. Cliff who's days as a successful gambler are gone, is outraged. Is it over his failure at life or because he's broke and this is yet another expense. Abby wiser than her years is seeing past his facade and wants to grow up. He uses his fatherly love against her, making her repeat their ritual in public. Needing quarters he goes to Iftikhar (Danny Beiruti), an Arab immigrant who he buys his daily newspaper from, another ritual and differences cumulate into something unstoppable. Jefferson comes out of the past to announce their brothers, a Cain and Abel, the prodigal and dutiful son. Jefferson throws out the line "I curse human will." Is who we are, how we think some course of fate spiraling out of control? Have we already gone too far to stop this tornado of indifference? Cliff's wife, Marissa (Danielle Skraastad), adds to the questions, she represents corporate America, the banking and financial seductive power of the world. As the play progresses, time lines and worlds blur into one until Jefferson leaves with Marissa hand and hand. Has America gotten into bed with someone elses wife? Abby leaves us with the thought of is "I love U 2 X infinity" putting to much pressure on us? Infinity itself is a long time, let alone to the 2nd power, no matter who this is to. This is a play that you must think. As my friend Maria put it
you have to be intelligent to like this play and like it I do. The direction by Oliver Butler is interesting. The words by Robert Lyons need some fine honing. The cast is talented, thought it was hard to hear Peter Sprauge and Daniel Beiruti. You can catch this interesting piece until the 28th at 66 Wooster. http://www.sohothinktank.org/icefactory.html

Its time to question what is going on and that is a F.A.C.T.