Drama Queens, a five-star arts journal focusing on female artists

THE NUCLEAR PLAYS

Written by Anthony P. Pennino

Directed by Alberto Bonilla

Review by Amanda Kavaja

The Planet Connections Theater Festivity

Theaters of the Clemente, 107 Suffolk Street, New York City (btw Rivington & Delancey)

7/12 @6:15pm;
7/14 @3:15pm
7/15 @1pm
7/20 @6:15pm
7/22 @3pm
7/26 @8:15pm

I was enlightened watching this play which is what the author set out to do. The story had revolved around a huge nuclear bomb exploding in the center of Manhattan, while teenage students were rehearsing for their school production. As the first act began, a student named Michael Saunders introduced the play by claiming that his 16-year-old daughter had passed away, due to Leukemia. His daughter developed Leukemia because of the harsh radiation released from the nuclear bomb. Suddenly, a new scene appears, where six students are in a classroom, bored to death by Joseph Jones’ teaching. Each scene told a different story. All actors were college students from Farleigh Dickinson University and personified multiple characters which confused me at some points. It was still quite educating but like any difficult subject in school at times, hard to follow.

Now that society doesn’t seem to talk about Hiroshima’s devastation anymore, I valued the fact that this production promoted awareness in encouraging others to prepare for the worst. The consequences of the bomb’s explosion were mentioned clearly throughout all the characters. Since the play focused primarily on radiation, Samantha Quiles created a realistically plausible vibe for the audience to grasp. She characterized a girl who became blind after the dangerous effects radiation had towards those who lived in New York City. I must admit, I teared up a little because of Samantha’s capability of winning the audience’s attention. Joseph Jones acted more as a leader using his motivation. Ashlie Hayes was easily the people’s favorite. Her witty style is what made her an ambitious girl who strived for greatness.

Spencer Pargas provided great emotional value to the piece in every scene.  The moment where she personified John.F.Kennedy was humorous and ironic with a female president. Joseph Jones as Marilyn Monroe caused even more audience engagement. Allen Garcia captured my attention thanks to his ability to impersonate age extremely well and convincingly. Overall, we had many a tour-de-force from this young, passionate cast. The barbarous outcome grabbed peoples’ sympathies and realization in how reality works. It’s all fun and games until someone steps in and finds satisfaction in demolition. Albeit a bit disjointed, Anthony J. Pennino’s Nuclear war cautionary tale gave us the moral: where there is unity, there is hope.