Margret Echeverria

I came to see Sulfur Bottom written by Rishi Varma and directed by Megumi Nakamura at The Theater Center fearing a sermon about how we Earth inhabitants are destroying the future with our unconscious lifestyles. But rather than coming away feeling guilty and possessing no ideas for corrective action, I can report that what I experienced was a living portrait of a family surviving existence on a choking planet while still reaching for joy, love, belonging and understanding of one another. The consciousness of these characters moves through all states – the unitary, the dream state, the mystical and the indescribable. All this through using broad strokes of time-travel, shape-shifting and symbols of transformation as illustrative vehicles. Rather than pulled by our ears to hard conclusions, the audience is gently held in revelatory visions.

The powerhouse performances of Alaska Thunderfuck and Nick Adams could have overwhelmed this show, but these are gracious monarchs who allow others to shine and the message to be felt: Our humanity, our connection to one another and our relentless pursuit of the next fun way to do the next right thing will not be defeated by any rabid prejudice disguising itself as greedy oligarchs or government tax collectors because there will always be those who save the world by just being love in DRAG. Sing it, Sisters!