When Terrence McNally's play opened in New York in 1993 it received mixed reviews before becoming a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. His work always centered on the urgent need for human connection between disparate people and this play deals with many conflicting ideas and is certainly overlong. Then inspired by the ongoing AIDS crisis it resounds today during the Covid-19 epidemic. Ironically, the fact that McNally died in March 2020 from complications from Covid-19 brings it full circle as its theme of loss and unresolved grief rings especially true today.
For this critic it served as an emotional reminder that no matter how bravely you face life, and how far you travel, you can never escape your past. When two upper class American women vacation in India they come face to face with the bitter memories they believed were buried too deep to any longer cause pain. There to confront their blindness is Ganesha, the Hindu god of "wisdom, prudence, acceptance and love." Under his omnipresence they relive the deepest sorrow of their lives and yet are saved when they learn that what we have now are the people we are still able to love!
Heading the excellent cast is Mueen Jahan as Ganesh, perfect as a mercurial god whose wisdom is balanced by his sense of humor; Kathleen Gray as Katherine captures the hyper-enthusiast manner of a woman determined to be fun and friendly in the face of hidden tragedy; Mary Allwright as Margaret gets us to be really fed up with her imperious demands before revealing the vulnerability she covers so well. Judd Yort is deeply moving as Walter, a gay man who dies bravely and despised; Cameron Gregg and Delio Eswar shine as various characters interacting with the women as they journey, and Svetlana Tulasi and Pavia Sidhu are luminous dancers as well as various modern or historic women.
Directed with sensitivity and humor by David W. Callander and produced by his own Campus Cabaret. At the Pico (Playhouse), 10508 W. Pico Blvd. As the theme is adult no one under 12 will be admitted. All Covid protocols - vaccination cards and masks - are required.
Reservations at: http://onstage411.com/ganesh
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