Philly Theater Recap: MUSHROOM

Got the opportunity to attend the Opening Night Premiere of PEOPLE’S LIGHT MUSHROOM by Eisa Davis, directed by David Mendizábal. Eisa is one of their New Play Frontiers Residents. Mushroom is the fourth locally inspired world premiere to emerge from NPF – launched with the support of The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Barra Foundation. This Residency is a long-term initiative to commission, develop and produce new plays that explore our American identities through the stories and concerns of our region.

Eisa began developing Mushroom in 2013 when she visited Kennett Square, PA returning many times to get to know the community and form inspirations for the characters.

“The play centers on the lives, loves, families and working conditions of Mexican mushroom pickers in Kennett Square, examining the recent strains placed on this cultural community by an oppressive governmental regime. It uses a series of experiments in form and non-linear storytelling to explore the characters’ dreams and fears.”

The play is seamlessly bilingual, 3 walls of the thrust stage are projected with subtitles in English when actors are speaking Spanish and vice versa.

Many community partners were also developed through this 10 year journey – LCH Health and Community Services, Chester County Food Bank, Coatesville VA, The Garage Community and Youth Center with many events and outreach programs still happening around “Mushroom”.

A Tinsel & Tine #MiniReview: Edit (Kenia Munguia) is a DREAMER (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act) in school to become a nurse. Her mother Lety (Laura Crotte) is undocumented and one of the few female mushroom pickers at this particular farm. Tyler (Todd Lawson) is a white male who has recently inherited the mushroom farm from his brother, but knows almost nothing about the business. Ignacio (Michael G. Martinez) used to manage the farm and wanted to purchase it, but Tyler’s brother turned him down years ago, so he moved on to start his own Stone Masonry company; but generously comes back to the farm to explain the basics to Tyler. Epifanio (Angel Sigala) is Ignacio’s troublesome cousin. He’s a Mushroom worker who was recently hurt on the farm, but no one is sure of the circumstances. Rain (Maribel Matinez – really loved her vibe) is a black Mexican who grew up in the area, moved away to follow her spirit, is back temporarily, with family issues she’d rather not face. She also acts as a community arbitrator between the workers and management. Tyler also finds her attractive. Natrajan (Ahsan Ali) is a wealthy Pakistan immigrant here on a work Visa, he and Edit become romantically entangled. There’s a narrator (Janice Amaya) who plays several parts.

Through these characters much is discussed about many aspects of immigration in the US. Reasons for leaving your home country. Forming bonds with the community around you. The mushroom industry and more. It’s not always simple to follow and its run time is 3 hrs with intermission, but it is very eloquently written and wonderfully thoughtful. It’s meant to remind you marginalized individuals are just that – individuals, unique and of consequence.