Arts & Culture

In Arabia We’d All Be Kings Debuts at the Elephant Theatre in L.A.

Cash for your car

Set amidst the backdrop of New York City’s gentrification in the 90’s, In Arabia We’d All Be Kings offers a bleak look into the lives of those being displaced.  Originally written by Stephen Adly Guirgis and directed by David Fofi for the Elephant Theatre Company, Kings centers around one bar in Hell’s Kitchen where a motley crew of down and out characters gather to drown their sorrows.

The play opens with Lenny, gruffly portrayed by Jason Warren, knocking a few back upon being released from prison.  He’s quickly caught up on the changes in the neighborhood when he learns of old friends who’ve died and favorite hangouts that have gone through "Disneyfication."  Lenny promises his girl he’ll get a job in order to take her out for a nice steak dinner and to live a better life in general. However, as proves to be true with the rest of his fellow bar patrons, Lenny finds he’s stuck in a cycle of bad choices and few options. 

Along the way we meet Skank (Steven Schub), an ex actor and current junkie, his girlfriend and fellow crackhead Chickie (Jade Dornfeld), simple bartender Charlie (Torrance Jordan), single teenaged mom Demaris (Carolina Espiro) and slick real estate developer Greer (Tim Starks).  The latter of these characters represents the changing of times as Greer heads up the taking over and renovation of the bar.

These people’s lives aren’t pretty or uplifting, but thankfully the show is  not all gloom and doom. The show offsets tragedy with comedy throughout it’s entirety, but never lets you forget these people’s fates are sealed.

One greatly appreciated example of humor balancing out the dark mood occurs in a scene between Skank and Greer. Played by two of the more convincing actors, Schub and Starks, these characters launch into a negotiation when Greer offers Skank money for sexual favors.  An entertaining exchange ensues with the two debating the "fair market value" for touching certain body parts and performing certain acts, before ultimately settling into the sobering reality of Skank’s existence.

In another comical interaction, Chickie (in a standout performance by Dornfeld) tries to teach a far too confrontational and volatile Demaris the ins and outs of street walking.  After failing to lure a single customer,  Chickie assures the inexperienced prostitute it’s not the worst thing in the world to not be good at hooking.  She then offers her failed protégé  career advice by reminding her, "There’s probably a lot of other things you could do, like rob."

Although the core of the show is depressing, the just over two hour production offers strong performances and light hearted moments. While the play offers a look into the less fortunate side of life, it offers no solutions or major revelations.  The audience is simply left with the realization that even though things are changing around them, these people will never break out of their own self destructive cycles.

In Arabia We’d All Be Kings is produced by the Elephant Theatre Company in association with VS. Theatre Company.

The Elephant Theatre
6322 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Elephantstageworks.com

For Tickets call:
323.960.4410

  

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