Simply Maria, Or the American Dream

What I liked

The humor woven into the heavy subject matter, playfully, and so well acted by the cast. Great direction and creative storytelling with limited sets and props. The show made me laugh, think, cringe (at the weight and absurdity of inequitable norms that humanity allows to continue to be commonplace), and reflect.

What I didn't like

Maria’s dream/nightmare sequence began with her guardian angels/psyche/alter egos speaking to her and participating in the telling of the unfolding story. Her awakening was somewhat abrupt. The lack of those same characters present at the end of the sequence made it unclear whether we were still in the dreamworld or back to reality.

My overall impression

A powerful and timely story about gender inequities, cultural rifts, and the price of the American “dream” for immigrants.