Moving forward after Grief and Loss in Golden Thread's Night Over Erzinga

Enjoying its West Coast Premiere at the South Side Theatre at Fort Mason Center is Night over Erzinga by Adriana Sevahn Nichols. Produced by Golden Thread Productions, Erzinga, directed by Hafiz Karmali, is the first play of the Middle East America New Plays Initiative, a project that is managed by GTP, New York’s Lark Play Development Center and Chicago’s Silk Road Theatre Project.

A story about the immigrant experience of Armenian Americans, the central characters Alice and Ardavazt (in younger and older incarnations) try to build a new life in the U.S. in the aftermath of the Armenian genocide. Inspired by Ms. Nichols’ personal heritage as a Dominican-Armenian American, the two and a half hour epic spans two continents and three generations from Western Armenia of 1913 to 1930’s Massachusetts to 1960’s New York. Lynchpin of the production is Juliet Tanner in a stellar performance as the Young Alice, and Alice’s daughter Ava. Capturing all the emotional subtleties demanded of both roles, Ms. Tanner moves with mastery from the emotionally overwrought European immigrant haunted by the horrors of her past to the flirtatious, spunky first generation American determined to make a life for herself in an often less than ideal world. With multiple roles for the entire ensemble, the play offers them the opportunity to show their acting chops. Brian Trybom complements Ms. Tanner as both eye-wandering young husbands: Ardavazdt and Benny as well as playing Grandpapa and Khalil. Lawrence Radecker shows his emotional range as the understanding Cop, a daring Turkish Soldier, a very Vegas Stage Manager, Alberto and others. Terry Lamb provides gravitas as the Older Ardavazdt, a caring Aram and the asylum Doctor. Completing the cast are Neva Marie Hutchinson as Older Alice and others, Sarita Ocon as Older Estrella and others, and Natalie Amanian, age 9, the youngest member of the tightly knit ensemble as young Estrella and others.

While reaching heights of poetic lyricism at many moments, Erzinga might have even more emotional impact with some serious editing. The play as written loses effect in scenes (mostly in the First Act and at the overly long finale dance) where no stone is left unturned. With enough material for two plays, Ms. Sevahn Nichols might consider killing off some of her “darlings” and resurrecting them in later work. Even so, Erzinga in substance reaches beyond its particular cultural ethnicity to that of others who have come to this country from the darkness of previous abusive hardship with the hope of entering the light of a better freer life.

Night Over Erzinga plays through October 9th at South Side Theatre at Magic Theatre, Fort Mason Center, Marina & Buchanan Streets, SF 94123. Tickets $20-$36. goldenthread.org 415.345.7575.