Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – 20 years on, Aasif Mandvi revisits his bittersweet SAKINA’S RESTAURANT, and it’s sadly as relevant as ever

• By drediman
• November 7, 2018
• No Comments

Aasif Mandvi in “Sakina’s Restaurant” at the Minetta Lane Theatre. Photo by Lisa Berg.

Last night – fittingly, election night – I caught Sakina’s Restaurant at the Minetta Lane Theatre. The solo show is written by and stars the charismatic Aasif Mandvi, who returns to the Obie-winning show after first appearing in it 20 years ago. His play depicts the multi-faceted experience of members of an Indian-American family (who also happen to be Muslim) who pursue the American Dream to varying degrees of success. The story is told primarily through the lens of a newly-arrived immigrant who waits tables for the said family’s Indian restaurant, which gives the play its namesake.

I enjoyed the play tremendously, if more for Mr. Mandvi’s skillful, deeply-felt performance rather than the play itself. Don’t get me wrong, there’s much to commend about the text. I found it genuinely heartwarming and accessibly observant much of the time, which makes the play’s melancholic turns that much more gut-wrenching. It’s these unexpected moments depicting the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the immigrant experience that makes the play, sadly, more relevant and resonant than ever – especially in this administration.

As for Mr. Mandvi’s performance, it’s a complete triumph. In Sakina’s Restaurant, he completely immerses himself in the play’s numerous, diverse array of characters. He creates a tapestry that beautifully summarizes what it means to be an immigrant of color in this country in this day and age, and more often than not, it isn’t a cheerful picture, despite Mr. Mandvi’s deceptively jovial delivery. Indeed, there’s a well of heartache – and often times anger – simmering just beneath the surface of these characters. Kimberly Senior’s well-paced direction does well to assist Mr. Mandvi to create just the right bittersweet tone.

RECOMMENDED

SAKINA’S RESTAURANT
Off-Broadway, Play
Minetta Lane Theatre

1 hour, 20 minutes (without an intermission)
Through November 11