Bob Abelman
The intersection of art and politics is often
ungainly. Some
playwrights merely teeter on the periphery of hot and hard topics,
thoughtfully contemplating issues but never getting close to the root of the
problem. Others’ efforts to inspire self-reflection, generate public awareness, or instigate social change through
storytelling turn preachy, pedantic and off-putting.
“Ancestra,” a compelling new play
written by local artists Holly Holsinger and Chris Seibert, directed by
Holsinger, and enjoying its world premiere at Cleveland Public Theatre, actually
entertains as it pointedly probes and boldly crusades.
Roy Berko
“Ancestra” is a well written play that
gets an excellent production at Cleveland Public Theatre. It is a story that needs to be told. It should be seen by everyone who
assumes that the rights movements…the march for equality for women, blacks and
homosexuals, have completed their tasks.
Kudos!
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.
Mark Horning
“Ancestra” is a historical drama with a profound
modern twist. It reaffirms the thought that
freedom for all is a basic human right and no one is free until all are free. See this one with your wife or husband and
talk about it afterwards.
To see a full review of this show, read Mark Horning's blog.Christine Howey
There’s plenty of righteous anger in Ancestra, and that’s a damn fine thing. However, the play often sounds like compendium of Wikipedia entries, spewing a litany of anti-woman issues only occasionally tethering them to personal stories and felt consequences.
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's blog Rave and Pan
Andrea Simakis
If all a production needed were earnestness and topicality, "Ancestra," a new play from Cleveland Public Theatre about the silencing of female voices, past and present, would be a real hit. But a righteous topic alone does not a fine piece of theater make, and, despite a gorgeous set by Cleveland State University's Aaron Benson, the work amounts to two soggy hours of missed opportunities.
To see a full review of this show, read Andrea Simakis' blog or visit Cleveland.com here.
