New York Musical Theatre Festival presents

MANUEL VERSUS THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

The Alice Griffin Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center
480 West 42nd St.
NY NY 10036

21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, July

Produced and Book by Noemi de la Puente
Music by David Davila
Lyrics by David Davila and Noemi de la Puente
Directed by José Zayas
Choreographed by Sidney Erik Wright

Featuring Gil Perez-Abraham, Shakina Nayfack, Tami Dahbura, Anthony Chan, Alicia Taylor Tomasko, AJ Meijer, Erika Gonzalez, Michael Marotta

The New York Musical Theatre Festival’s mission includes ensuring the future vitality of musical theatre. With MANUEL VERSUS THE STATUE OF LIBERTY, I say Mission Accomplished! The vitality of this show explodes off the stage.

Aided by the clever choreography of Sidney Erik Wright, director José Zayas keeps the energy flowing as Manuel’s tale (based on the true story of an undocumented immigrant who was accepted to Princeton) is told.

Anthropomorphizing the Statue of Liberty into a trash-talking, boxing diva (the statuesque Shakina Nayfack) is the brilliant idea of playwright Noemi de la Puente. The gimmick is a terrific way of keeping the storytelling light and joyous while telling this sad and frustrating tale.

Imagine being raised from the age of two in this country only to realize as you get older that, legally, you “belong” to another country, and that no matter how hard you work to achieve the American Dream, it can all be gone in an instant if you are found out. This is a situation hundreds of thousands face in this country, and Manuel is the perfect face to bring awareness, especially as so charmingly played by Gil Perez-Abraham. Also imagine the pain of his mother, also undocumented, who has one “legal” child (born in the US) as well. Tami Dahbura brings an intense passion as well as a gorgeous voice to Mami, and Alicia Taylor Tomasko is also terrific as Manuel’s loving little sister, Yolanda.

The entire cast (with the exception of Manuel) play multiple roles with fluidity. Each gets several moments to shine, and all make the most of it. It is wonderful to see so many different types working together as such a cohesive ensemble, easily handling the numerous musical styles, physically and vocally.

MANUEL VERSUS THE STATUE OF LIBERTY should be seen from sea to shining sea!

- Jean Tait -