Palestine, New Mexico
by Richard Montoya
Mark Taper Forum
(135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles; at the Music Center)
A production of Culture Clash for Center Theatre Group
Date of reviewed performance: January 21, 2010
Cast
Captain Catherine Siller - Kirsten Potter
Bronson - Ric Salinas
Top Hat - Richard Montoya
Farmer - Herbert Siguenza
Maria 15 - Geraldine Keams
Chief Birdsong - Russell Means
Dacotah, Girl in Blue Dress - Julia Jones
Ghost of Birdsong, Suarez - Justin Rain
Star Man - Kalani Queypo
Mountain - Brandon Oakes
Sally 30/30 - LaVonne Rae Andrews
Broke Arrow - Robert Owens-Greygrass
La Megadeath - Michelle Diaz
This world premiere production from a company aptly named Culture Clash comes to a close this Sunday at the Mark Taper Forum. This is an imperfect show and there are more minuses than pluses, so we'll start with the later.
Far and away, the best thing about this show is the set. Impressive red rocks, cactus and a dusty desert wraps around the thrust stage all the way down to the auditorium floor. It's an exciting scene to be met by when you first enter the theater - seemingly so full of promise of a stimulating night of theater. It is my wildest hope that one day this set will get to be used for just such a night.
Another plus is the casting. There are many fine actors, some of whom are recognizable from other projects, doing the best they can with what they're given. Unfortunately, what they're given isn't much. While there are a few isolated moments that work as intended, most of the time the cast is left trying sell farcical one-liners weaved amongst the kind of melodramatic dialogue most often seen on Lifetime. The result is pretty much what one would expect.
Kirsten Potter appears as a shell-shocked Captain Siller - a woman who is used to having guns pointed at her and has never thought of backing down from a mission. The mission this time is to solve the mystery of the death of Ray Birdsong, a soldier in her unit killed in Afghanistan. An official investigation makes accusations of treason, but Siller has her doubts and journeys to the New Mexico reservation Birdsong hails from to find the truth. If only the truth were simpler to see! Capt. Siller and the audience are quickly led through a confusing tale that includes rival reservations, Conquistadors, infidelity, Jewish slaves, Evangelical Christians, hidden menorahs, celestial meetings, tribal matriarchs, peyote hallucinations and letters from the dead told in such a confusing fashion that it requires a full explanation by the Chief in the final scene to learn what anything has to do with anything else.
For better or worse, the writing holds no reverance for anyone. Native Americans, the military, Jews and Christians are all equal fodder for jokes that you've likely heard before. The worst part is the laughter that's required from the audience to merely keep the evening from becoming more uncomfortable that it already is.
The script is slapdash; entire scenes and characters exist solely for a funny moment that is never tied back to any of the play's many plot points. In an effort to be timely and relevant, there are jokes about Silver Lake, LACC and Tiger Woods which are completely out of place in this setting. The finale of the play makes a plea for peace, instructs us that our differences are merely taught to us and tells us that we can live together if we make an effort to get to know each other for who we really are. The tragedy is that this message is muffled by the ridiculousness that precedes and surrounds it, making it difficult for an audience to hear.
Palestine, New Mexico wraps up its run this weekend. You can still catch it between now and January 24th at 8 p.m. tonight (Friday), 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 1:00 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Ticket prices range from $20 to $65. For reservations, call (213) 628-2772 or visit http://www.centertheatregroup.org/.
Directed by Lisa Peterson
Costume Design by Christopher Acebo
Lighting and Projection Design by Alexander V. Nichols
Scenic Design by Rachel Hauck
Original Music and Sound Design by Paul James Prendergast
Fight Direction by Steve Rankin
Stage Management by Elle Ahgabala
Production Stage Management by Susie Walsh
Palestine, New Mexico:
