Facebook content moderators, Serena Williams and circus performers in this chapter of my Seclusion Smörgåsbord series.
Socially Unacceptable
There have been many streams of plays through Zoom during this pandemic. Socially Unacceptable is one that takes this environment as the basis for its plot. In Matt Steinberg’s tightly constructed and well-conceived piece, four Facebook content moderators are hired to work remotely during the COVID-19 crisis. The ZOOM meeting is their training pod when they begin their employment.
Every day these young people work together to individually watch potentially objectionable posts and determine if they should be removed. They are scored for accuracy and the pressure to keep precious employment is omnipresent. Darriah is their pod manager who is looking out for herself while maintaining a manufactured air of concern. As the days and months progress, these individuals become close friends. Significant psychological issues emerge from this type of work and viewing disturbing images. Elle, the coder, reminds them that “it’s just pixels” as if that cures anything.
Nicely directed by Ran Xia, this production pays attention to the details. The character’s eye movements clearly show them doing their jobs while chatting with each other. All of the performances are solid and realistic. Mr. Steinberg has some funny lines and pointed criticisms of social media and big company dynamics. As Darriah remarks, Facebook is just a platform. “It’s neutral. If you got food poisoning you wouldn’t blame the plate.” A perfect way to comment on social media’s frequent abdication of moral responsibility.
Socially Unacceptable was performed as a fundraising benefit for Harlem Grown.
G.O.A.T. (Playing on Air)
For their last episode of the spring 2020 season, Playing on Air presented G.O.A.T. by Ngozi Anyanwu (The Homecoming Queen). The author was joined by Denise Manning Jay and April Matthis to portray three black women on a rooftop. They are obviously close friends, if not more than that. The purpose of the gathering is to use “black girl magic” in support of another Grand Slam tennis championship for their hero, Serena Williams.
Directed by Whitney White (who had an off-Broadway success this year with Our Dear Drug Lord at WP Theater), this ten minute play has funny banter between these superstitious ladies. The major accomplishments of Ms. Williams and the high levels of inspiration she provides are the thematic backbone of this play. But you can never be too careful. That is why “we pray to you, the ghost of Arthur Ashe” so that he will “look over your thick boned progeny.”
Playing on Air showcases short plays with many familiar actors and playwrights. They are a recommended diversion and usually can be enjoyed in less than twenty minutes.
theaterreviewsfromyseat/thehomecomingqueen
Bindlestiff Open Stage Variety Show: Quarantine Edition #9
The first quarantainment presented by Bindlestiff Family Cirkus was discussed in Seclusion Smörgåsbord II. I decided to check back in on this weekly series. The ninth episode promised to be “a respite for those in need.” The technical capabilities are greatly enhanced since the first outing including multi-camera angles and upgraded backdrops. The homemade video feel, however, imparts the true charm for this downtown amalgamation of circus talents.
Keith Nelson is the host and kicks things off with his diablo routine while commenting that “twenty years of no social life is finally paying off.” Steve Langley followed with bubble tricks. One involved fire. “That’s something you don’t see everyday… a flaming heterosexual.” The bubble volcano at the end of his segment was extraordinary. Pinkie Special, a hula hoop artist and showgirl, was next. She delightfully came across as the Christina Applegate character from Married With Children a decade or so later.
Professor DR Schreiber appeared as an 18th century entertainment with card tricks. In Larry Vee’s disheveled living room, there was much juggling and a unicycle. His cat peering down from the top of the stairs did not seem too impressed. A great segment was “Ask Hovey” Burgess. Viewers send in a question about the circus and he describes the history. The topic was the human cannibal, complete with photographs.
Marcus Monroe juggled up to five bowling pins in his backyard at night. In between he tells the driest of jokes. The pièce de résistance was saved for last. A video of Peru’s The Coronel Sisters and their rolling globe act was an incredible display of balance atop large exercise balls. As Mr. Nelson noted during the show, these performers are Phase 4 in terms of getting back to work, anywhere from two to eighteen months from now. These shows allow them to perform and also try to raise money to support themselves in the meantime.
The weekly variety show airs on Monday evenings at 7:30 pm on the Facebook and You Tube pages for Bindlestiff Family Cirkus. They also offer hands-on learning programs and new videos through its BindlestiffFamilyCirkusKids page.