A TOMATO CAN’T GROW IN THE BRONX

By GARY MORGENSTEIN

Featuring

SPENCER NEUMANN, HOLLY O’BRIEN, JACKIE KUSHER, ANDREA BELL WOLFF
MICK ROCHE and MARINA CHAN

Directed by BERNICE GARFIELD-SZITA

Chain Theater
312 West 36th Street, NYC
December 2-17, 2022
www.theatermania.com or 800-838-3006

If you’d like to be transported to another era (and who wouldn’t during these confusing and turbulent times?), Gary Morgenstein’s A TOMATO CAN’T GROW IN THE BRONX is a good place to start your journey. Off you go to the 1960’s with background music provided by Jeannie C. Riley (when’s the last time you heard Harper Valley P.T.A.?), Simon & Garfunkel, and other greats. Here you will find mustard-colored refrigerators, blue depression glass, white go-go boots, red lava lights, classic Corning Ware, and items you haven’t thought about in years. Kudos to Set Designers Bernice Garfield-Szita and Bob Szita for the meticulous care taken to create authentic sets.

The story revolves around a Jewish family living in the Bronx and attempts to portray the clash between generations within the changing climate of racism, feminism, and political conflict. The American Dream is at stake. While one generation discards it, the other clings desperately. There are some impressive arguments made but at times the dialogue is stilted, and unfortunately it is difficult to choose a character to root for. Perhaps a fitting dilemma for our current political scene.

- Laurie Lawson -