In an open room, Naz enters and stands on a pedestal. She describes living in a near-future America, after a civil war has left the country reeling. She tells of her town of Queens Row, Massachusetts, and of her only son who went looking for work in Odessa, Texas. He fell in love with a girl, killed a man in a jealous rage, and later, was killed by police. She grapples with her grief and keeping faith.

Antonia enters and takes Naz’s place. Antonia speaks to her missing lover, updating him while living out of her car in Odessa. She speaks about their relationship and what independence means in her life. After mentioning the child they have made together, she sees a double of herself who is loyal to a fault. The space goes dark. Antonia exits the pedestal. In the dark, a third woman enters. The third woman is led to the pedestal by the other two.

Soraya, the son and lover’s daughter, speaks in a broken way. She acquires communication as she is speaking. She tries to talk about where she stands in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She tries to talk about her parents in the early days, about people abandoning Queens Row, about how her father died, and about her lack of beliefs. She tries to talk about survival, happiness, and finally returning to Queens Row.

Written and directed by Richard Maxwell

Performed by Nazira Hanna, Soraya Nabipour, and Antonia Summer

Set and Lights by Sascha van Riel
Costumes by Kaye Voyce
Produced by Regina Vorria
Stage manager: Eric Magnus 
Assistant Stage Manager: Bjorn Lee Varella
Production Intern: Jojo Guo

January 8–11, 15–18, 22–25, 8pm

This event takes place at The Kitchen, 512 West 19th Street, New York, NY

Click here to view the program for Queens Row

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