Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar

On Saturday night, I went to see Ayad Akhtar’s play “Disgraced” (2013 Pulitzer Prize winner for drama) at Lyceum Theater.  This play centers around Amir, a New York corporate lawyer who finds himself reckoning with his heritage –born in Pakistan, raised Muslim – in a series of conversations and confrontations.  Amir, played by the magnificent Hari Dhillon, begins to devolve after a lifetime of tamping down his background.  Mr. Dhillon is nuanced and subtle in his portrayal as each layer is peeled away. When Amir’s desperation and displaced anger lashes out in the crescendo scene, every moment has been earned. His performance gave me goosebumps it was so raw and powerful. 

Emily, Amir’s wife, played by Gretchen Mol is a wonderful counterpoint.  Emily is an artistic idealist who tries to push Amir to embrace his heritage only to slowly discover how deeply he’s buried that part of himself.  At times, there is a naiveté that Ms. Mol brings to the role that works without being disingenuous.  Josh Radnor playing Isaac and Karen Pittman as Jory share a memorable dinner with Amir and Emily.  Jory had some of the best one-liners and Ms. Pittman delivered them beautifully. 

There is one scene with Amir’s young cousin Abe played by Danny Ashok at the end of the play that is heartbreaking.  After the aftermath of the previous scenes, it felt like adding salt to the wounds but so well done nonetheless.  This play is directed by Kimberly Senior. 

 “Disgraced” began preview performances on Sept. 27 and opens on Oct. 23.

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2014 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

A Most Wanted Man

I know I'm late on the upswing on this movie, it's been out for months and months but I finally saw A Most Wanted Man last weekend.  What an amazing film!  Phillip Seymour Hoffman is subtle and nuanced in this role and Robin Wright as the American counterpart is flawless.  It's filled with tense political intrigue and the ending made me gasp out loud. Truly. There is something about these spy movies that have always captivated me. I wouldn't have the stones to be in that life.  Who could you trust?  The world is such a dark and twisted place full of enemies of the state and national security is always at stake, how could anyone sleep at night? Ever?

Of course, this makes me think about how Power needs to create an "other"/ an enemy in order to justify torture, murder, rape all in the name of nationalist or religious rhetoric.  Wow!  How did I get here on this one?  You get my drift though, political structures and tactics created for the sake of power.  Maintaining that power.  Ends justifying the means.  We create this fear and FEAR is contagious.  I've gone down the rabbit hole. I won't go on tho'.  That's for a different entry on another blog.  :-)

Peace, L~


All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2014 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

accidental art

F-Line, Broadway-Lafayette, 2014

On the F-Line at Broadway Lafayette there is this wall where rusted water has leaked down and created this pretty amazing abstract piece.  There is texture where the paint is coming off the wall.  The background wall is brown but there is this reddish hue mixed in with yellows and white.  And it keep developing out, especially after it rains.  Yes, this wall is probably a toxic combination of mold and who-knows-what else but it is absolutely beautiful to me. Sometimes these hidden gems are enough in themselves.  Water created this piece and it continues to change and grow. I'm sure some inspector will see this one day and decide it's hazardous to our health and wipe it clean but until that happens more visual stim for me.  

In the meantime, I've picked up a couple of sketch books to paint again. I had set aside art for awhile when I was trying to figure out my writing "focus."  I'm learning that I could paint and sketch and write at will.  The only limitations are the ones that I impose upon myself. Time to break out my knives/brushes and paint for the sheer joy of it.  I've decided to go back to painting on paper because they are easier to store than canvas.  Let's see how long that stays true once I start working.  

All for now.

Peace, 

L~

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2014 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.