What I liked
I loved the intimate way Rain relates to the audience, like she’s talking to a friend. Enjoyed the imaginative ways multimedia helped enliven the verbal narrative – the humor of a silent, long-suffering “Muse” (Lily Brown) handing her exactly the research item or website she’s looking for, the videos projected on the back wall illustrating everything (like the nostalgia of those corny old TV shows) – and especially the live music and her songs. The personal stories stimulated me to think about my own heritage and ancestry in similar ways.
What I didn't like
I wanted more songs — they were great but not enough of them! Her music and lyrics make the historical facts and personal stories come alive in a particularly immediate, emotional, and poetic way. I missed the song “Money”, from her album. If more songs can’t be added, how about adding occasional instrumental accompaniment to her words?
My overall impression
Deeply human, honest, and warm, Rain takes us on a journey as she explores her relatively privileged family history, growing up unaware of her culture’s inherent racism. Her wonderful songs intersperse and illustrate the narrative – like “This is Water”. The perfect metaphor for how it’s possible to be unaware – as a fish doesn’t know it’s breathing water – but how, once seen, it can’t be ignored.
