AlterNatives by Drew Hayden Taylor
AlterNatives, a play written by Drew Hayden Taylor, is currently playing at Centaur Theatre until November 5th. This show is the perfect combination of comedy, drama, and compelling social commentary, all based in the classic trope of “dinner party gone wrong”.
The story focuses on the relationship of its two central characters, Angel and Colleen. Angel is an Anishinaabe science-fiction writer, while Colleen is a non-practicing Jew who studies Indigenous literature. Things quickly go awry when Colleen invites Angel’s old “alterNative warrior” comrades, Yvonne and Bobby, to a meal with her own white vegan friends, Michelle and Dale. The evening results in an entertaining back-and-forth of cross-cultural references, miscommunication, and the subversion of popular stereotypes about Indigenous culture.
The story sheds light on important themes such as the acceptance of different cultures and the idea that these cultural identities are not the only things that define a person. This is illustrated through the uncovering of several unsettling truths about the nature of Angel and Colleen’s relationship, as well as several glimpses into Angel’s past that turn the awkward atmosphere of the dinner into something much more serious. Through these thematic scenes, the play delves into thought-provoking questions about the interaction of different cultures that continue to be relevant today.
One noticeable thing about the play is its minimalist set, which includes nothing but chairs, stacks of books, and light panels. Each character exits the stage at different times throughout the play, which invites those remaining on stage to enter sometimes poignant, private discussions in their absence. The stacks of books are a particularly interesting element of the set, as they contain many volumes of the Indigenous literature that Colleen studies. In fact, she urges Angel to read these books and base some of his own written works on his experiences growing up, but Angel insists that he would rather be a science-fiction writer. This speaks to the stark contrast between the vision Colleen has of Angel and the vision he has of himself.
Interestingly enough, other visual components of the set come into play as Colleen’s vision of the world and of Indigenous culture begins to unravel. When miscommunication between the partygoers begins to morph into conflict and Colleen is increasingly challenged about views she holds to be true, the light panels above the set begin to flicker.
Colleen appears to be the only person who looks up and notices them, perhaps indicating that she is becoming progressively more aware of the gravity of the situation, and of how the people around her are no longer just there for a dinner party, but to defend their vastly conflicting interests, representing a struggle between Indigenous and white cultures that has been going on for hundreds of years. In this sense, the flickering of the lights could represent how Colleen never expected this tension, and ultimately, this unearthing of past secrets that shatter her pre-existing perceptions of herself and of her relationship with Angel.
From the quality of the acting to the important themes that are addressed, alterNatives is a refreshing and entertaining roller-coaster of a play that captured the interest of many and presented its message in a unique and fascinating manner. Lighthearted one moment and thought-provoking the next, the story juxtaposes comedy and drama through the ongoing conversation between the characters, each so uniquely presented and managing to break through their stereotypes.
The actors’ performances were riveting and dynamic, and brought so much life and charm into the characters despite their individual flaws. The writing was also excellent; the play first invites its audience to reflect on matters of bias and prejudice in a fun and often unassuming way, through a few clumsy remarks made by the characters, but then progressively amps up the tension to such a degree that one must wonder whether the deep divides set between the partygoers can truly be overcome to reach a state of cross-cultural harmony.
AlterNatives provides a nuanced answer to this probing question that had viewers scrambling to untangle all its layers. Don’t forget to attend this captivating play until November 5th!
