A White Girl's Guide to International Terrorism ☼ ☼ ☼ BANG

God help us if what is left of the American Dream is for the FBI to save us. Chelsea Marcantel's "A White Girl's Guide to International Terrorism" is a very good play, full of humor and understanding and with a standout ensemble cast. But we leave the theater feeling dismayed. If times are so tough, for so many people in our country, that becoming addicted to drugs or going to live in a theocracy in Syria sound preferable, then shouldn't we be concentrating on the reasons behind these desperate lives?

We love Isabel Langen as Blaze, who makes us understand her temptation, surrounded by addicted friends and no prospects for the future. We are frightened by Liz Sklar as Wafiya. We are comforted at first by Mohammed Shehata as Agent Salem. Then, in Act Two, the plot turns in a fascinating way we did not foresee. 

We also like Neiry Rojo as Blaze's best friend Rowena, and Davied Morales as Blaze's classmate and almost-boyfriend Gabe. Blaze's mother Kit is played by Arwen Anderson, the one character we wish could be developed a bit more. We want to know why this woman, who seems intelligent and intuitive, is as stuck in her tracks as everyone else in this town? We understand the overarching societal issues that Mercantel brushes against, the dying town and the industry that has disappeared, but why Kit? And why does she do what she does to Blaze? 

The videos produced by Blaze are brilliant. They feel real. The whole show does. For a first performance and a World Premiere, we are enthusiastic about this show. We expect to see it on the Main Stage in the near future.

RATINGS:☼ ☼ ☼ BANG

The San Francisco Theater Blog awards "A White Girl's Guide to International Terrorism" Three Stars with a Bangle of Praise. The cast and direction by Morgan Green deserve one star each and the subject matter a third. A special Bangle of Praise for the way Blaze's videos are produced on stage. This is terrific staging that gives us a visual mirror into Blaze's heart.

"A White Girl's Guide to International Terrorism"

Creativity Theater

221 4th Street, San Francisco

(LOTS OF CONSTRUCTION IN AREA: ENTER UP STAIRWAY ON EAST SIDE OF FOURTH STREET.)
Thurs, Fri, Sat Through March 2

$25-$30