The show draws parallels between the process of colonization and genocide towards Native Americans during the colonial era in what would become the United States to the continued colonial process and denial of culture, fueled by modern capitalism.
The characters really have a task in that they are playing both contemporary characters and characters from the 17th century at times quickly going back-and-forth from one to the other. The problem I had with the show was that the play was all about authenticity and every time they went back to the scenes of the 17thcentury it seems so very unauthentic – – costume and props scream inauthenticity. The dialogue seemed unauthentic. It just didn’t ring true for me. I think the play would’ve been much more effective if the scenes from the 17th century had been intensely authentic; it would have provided a greater contrast to the present – – then, when we came near the end of the play and the scenes got shorter and shorter, and begin to overlap past with present – – it would’ve been a more jarring, dramatically effective end to the show as past and present, fought against each other to give us a potent climax.
The idea of this play of two very different Manhattans was very interesting. I never knew the history of “Manahatta”. I wanted to know more and feel the juxtaposition more sharply. The story just seemed to be handed off to amateur hands.