The Overwhelming

Roundabout Theater Company
Laura Pels Theater

This was more entertaining than I thought it would be, given that I expected nothing less than a most depressing night.

Everything I've seen at this theater has had one unchanging set. Again, we had just one set that did not change. It wasn't a lot to look at for two hours and forty five minutes. But, I guess when you are trying to portray Rwanda you don't want it to be too lavish.

The most interesting thing about the genocide in Rwanda was really how quickly it all happened. It's a fascinating cycle of a set of people quickly coming to view another set of people as the enemy and the way that everyday people get caught up in the conflict and unexpectedly choose side. I guess it doesn't actually matter if you act like a lamb or a leader, peace is almost impossible to come by. When people are out for blood, how much can you really do to stop them? I guess that's a good question for any society.

I thought the production was good. I ran into some other people who saw it the same night and they adamantly did not like the production. I didn't talk to them long enough to hear about what they saw that I didn't. But, I do know that I've seen three of the actors before and two of them were remarkably better in this than in what I saw them in, which I credit to good direction and the production.

There was at the end something of what I can only refer to as an altar call, that time in church when you are called on to respond and you are called forward. One of the actors looks at the audience and calls upon the audience to not forget the freedoms that they have and how unfortunate so many are who lose that freedom. It wasn't as effective as the altar call in last year's Stuff Happens. I guess I remember it, so it wasn't so bad either.

A week later I'm not sure if I would recommend it or not. It was way better than I thought it would be, but it took some time to adjust after having seen it. And, ultimately it was a bit depressing. I guess if you love political dramas and calls to action with African themes, this play is definitely for you.