‘The Snow Geese’ Takes an Honest Look at American Exceptionalism

Monet Clayton

Independent Shakespeare Co. (ISC) recently announced the premiere of “The Snow Geese“ on the west coast. It is being directed by ISC’s managing director, David Melville. It began previews last Saturday, March 11 and officially opens on March 17 at 7:30 p.m. The show continues through Sunday, April 9 at Independent’s Studio in Atwater Village. The playwright, Sharr White, commented, “I started ‘The Snow Geese’ in response to not only the financial crisis in 2008, but also because of the naivety of American idealism, especially when it comes to war, and confronting ‘the other’, whomever that other happens to be. In 1917, the ‘Others’ were Americans of German descent. You can just take that thread and follow it, decade-by-decade, to now: Japanese Americans, Cuban Americans, Vietnamese Americans, Latin Americans…. American identity -that’s really what this play is about – exists within a formula that, era-by-era, remains unchanged: An unflinching belief in our goodness, coupled with the denial necessary to support that belief, coupled with an enemy that acts as a coagulant for national identity. In researching the years 1917, I was struck, over and over, with just how little we’ve changed.”

In the play, White showcases a newly-widowed Elizabeth Gaesling as she gathers her family for their annual shooting party, to mark the opening of hunting season in rural, upstate New York. But Elizabeth is forced to confront a new reality as her carefree eldest son grapples with his impending deployment overseas, and her younger son discovers that the father they all revered left them deeply in debt. Together, the family must let go of the life they’ve always known and brave a frightening, uncertain future. The play explores the intricacies of going off to war, and how it affects family dynamics and complicated relationships. The play stars Melissa Chalsma, Faqir Hassan, Bruce Katzman, Nikhil Pai, Evan Lewis Smith, Bernadette Sullivan and Kalean Ung. Sharr White’s plays are known for being developed or produced at theaters across the country and Europe – including Manhattan Theatre Club, MCC Theatre, Nationaltheater Mannheim, Melbourne Theatre Company, the Magic Theatre, South Coast Repertory, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Oregon Shakespeare Festival and more. White’s “The Other Place” received its world premiere Off-Broadway at MCC Theater, featuring Laurie Metcalf (Lucille Lortel and Obie awards) and directed by Joe Mantello (Lucille Lortel nom). “The Other Place” subsequently received its Broadway premiere at Manhattan Theatre Club with Joe Mantello again directing Laurie Metcalf (Tony nom). Overall, “The Snow Geese” is a well-cast presentation, penned by a phenomenal playwright. Definitely a must-see for the season.

“The Snow Geese“ is playing at Independent Studio in Atwater Village March 17 – April 9.