Einstein Is Apt Venue for Off-Broadway Show
“Plátanos, Collard Greens, y Callaloo” may seem like a random list of iconic ethnic foods associated with Latino, African-American and Caribbean cuisine. But it’s also the clever and befitting title of an off-Broadway play that explores the interrelations and issues common in these diverse communities, particularly in the United States, where different cultures intersect in big cities like New York.
Something Unique
Actors from Platanos, Collard Greens y Callaloo perform their show at EinsteinFollowing a successful run in Manhattan, cast members brought the play to Einstein’s Robbins Auditorium on a Thursday evening last fall. The performance was a special event during Hispanic Heritage Month on the Einstein campus.
“I wanted to offer something unique that the entire Bronx community could appreciate,” said Catherine Castillo, a second-year medical student and member of the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) who served as lead organizer of the event. “The play was both cultural and educational while also reflecting the largely Latino and African-American population we have in the Bronx.”
In brainstorming for possible events to mark the heritage month, Ms. Castillo discussed ideas with her mentor, Dr. Noé Romo, assistant professor of pediatrics and an Einstein alumnus (Class of 2008). He suggested that she reach out to the show’s production company, Between the Lines Productions, Inc., whose acting troupes have toured universities across the country since 2003, to see if a performance could be staged at Einstein.
Members of Einstein’s chapters of the LMSA and the Student National Medical Association then teamed up to bring the production to the medical school. They received support from Dr. Alvin (Hal) Strelnick, assistant dean for community engagement and director of Einstein’s Hispanic Center of Excellence as well as from the office of diversity enhancement, which both allocated funds for the play. The office of student affairs coordinated with the security and audiovisual departments to ensure that the technical aspects of the production would run smoothly.
A member of the Einstein community poses a question to the cast during the Q&A that followed the performance“There were a lot of details to cover, but it was all worth the effort,” recalled Ms. Castillo.
Star-Crossed Lovers
The romantic comedy follows the young love between Angelita, a first-generation Dominican-American college student, and Freeman, an African-American classmate. Their relationship appears to be blossoming until Angelita’s immigrant mother disapproves simply because Freeman is African-American. Feeling guilty about upsetting her mother, Angelita breaks up with a dismayed Freeman.
“You don’t have to be Latino or African-American to relate to what Angelita and Freeman go through,” said Sheyenne Gomez, who was visiting her cousin Danielle Pasquel, an Einstein graduate student. “Substitute wealthy and working class, Jewish and Catholic, or any potential clash of cultures, and anyone can relate to their experience.”
She added, “You could feel people’s discomfort and also laugh at the humor, because the play touched on very human actions and emotions. It also reminded me how we often take things for granted or avoid something because it touches on an uncomfortable truth.”
Cast members pose with members of the Einstein community who helped stage the show for the Bronx communityAs he deals with Angelita’s rejection, Freeman receives advice from his father, referred to as “Pops,” whose words of wisdom are infused with nuanced lessons on racial politics and history. These lessons are also echoed and expanded upon throughout the play through dialogue and other forms of expression, including poetry, hip-hop and dance.
A Modern Context
References to topical events—such as the wrongful deaths of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin and Eric Garner—were inserted into the script, giving the performance’s message a modern context. The story touched upon pressing and uncomfortable issues concerning race, discrimination, police brutality, disparity in education and feminism.
The Robbins Auditorium was packed with Einstein students, staff and faculty, as well as members of the neighboring Bronx community, including families with children. “We wanted to make sure we got the word out beyond the campus, so we distributed flyers to small businesses throughout Morris Park and asked representatives from Yeshiva and Fordham Universities to advertise on their campuses, too,” noted Ms. Castillo.
Following the performance, the cast stayed for a question-and-answer session. From their dialogue with the audience, it was clear that family drama and cultural narratives resonate with all people.
Posted on: Friday, January 15, 2016