Reminiscence of the Ghetto…
Reminiscence of the Ghetto & Other Things That Raized Me
written & performed by Angela Kariotis
directed by Paul Bonin-Rodriguez
“Inspiring, enlightening, funny, heart-breaking and boundary-breaking.” ~Spencer Chandler, NYTheatre.com
the other things that raized me:
ghetto lingo | the philosophy of the kool | perspective | imagination | hip-hop | dandelions | perseverance through creativity | broken English | Felix | getting each other’s back| White girl, I mean Greek girl, got flavor?
Reminiscence of the Ghetto & Other Things That Raized Me is a one-woman show. The play is about creating identity through place. Each segment explores a point of view from urban vernacular and false assumptions, economic status and self-worth, redefining the word ghetto as an adjective, to being white vs. being Greek and the philosophy of the cool. There is rhythm and movement. We’re also introduced to a rowdy cast of characters. The play operates in the hip-hop aesthetic. It is thought provoking and entertaining, serious and seriously funny. We are invited to be a witness to this special journey of unforgettable characters and their character.
Angela Kariotis’ work embodies the legacy of American social protest performance aimed at cultivating social change. It is about ghetto culture, using, defining, and redefining the language that surrounds this place confounded with misconceptions.
Her rapid fire wordplay and performance style make this piece engaging. Her body language speaks volumes: “What’s harder than gettin’ out of the ghetto?” she asks, slumped. Sitting bolt upright she enunciates: “Getting the ghetto out of you.”
As we follow Kariotis through her journey, we might better understand our own and each others. She says, “It’s about representing where I’m from—knowing where I am.”
