Fringe Fest: Boiling Pot

What is race? What is racism? How has it affected your life? These were the kinds of questions Evan Joiner and Kobi Libii asked over 125 people across the United States last summer. After compiling over 75 hours of interviews, they distilled the material into [Boiling Pot], a taught, compelling one-act play making its New York debut as part of the [Fringe Festival](http://www.fringenyc.org/).

Joiner and Libii perform the material as a series of interwoven monologues, each actor portraying several characters in succession. The result is a show unafraid to present race in America as seen through the eyes of those living it. Although the show begins along the black/white divide, as the stories unfold, it becomes clear that the current situation involves much more. One man proclaims that there are only five races, another complains about the “I-raqis” living across the street and one of the later characters struggles over defining himself as a Persian or an Arab in middle-class America. Each of these characters are crafted with such integrity that the performer’s race almost disappears behind the story. Only briefly, when one of the characters refers to his son as “lighter than you,” are we reminded of Libii’s race. That’s the beauty of this production; the material has transferred seamlessly from interview to theater and retains the weight that comes along with verbatim confessions.

The material remains effective on stage largely due to Joiner and Libbi’s well-considered performances. Although the performers have different styles, they work in tandem to create a more effective show. Joiner favors subtle, soft portrayals, while Libii’s powerhouse transformations provide sharp contrasts between his characters. The show has carved out a limited spectrum to examine, leaving out female, Hispanic and Asian voices. This allows it to examine some questions in depth, but leaves many more unasked. Whether or not this should be considered a flaw is a matter of personal taste. The production’s pacing wanders in the beginning and only really gains momentum toward the middle of the show, but once it gets going it doesn’t stop.

With pundits asking if presidential hopeful Barack Obama is black enough and racial profiling becoming ever more pervasive, Joiner and Libii’s questions are only gaining in relevance. The United States has always been a blend of races and we’re only beginning to understand what that means. Blending low budgets with high ambitions, Boiling Pot is an excellent example of how the New York fringe can still be a venue for vital new works that aren’t afraid to ask a few questions.

08/25 @ 2:30pm

([CherryLaneTheater], 38 Commerce Street)