Overview
- Second Stage’s world premiere opened November 17 at the Irene Diamond Stage in the Pershing Square Signature Center and runs through December 7, 2025.
- The play spans a century, moving from Tatos O. Cartozian’s 1923–24 Portland naturalization fight argued by lawyer Wallace McCamant to a 2024 Glendale taping that riffs on reality celebrity culture.
- Critics describe a deft blend of history and satire with standout turns from Will Brill and Andrea Martin under David Cromer’s clear, finely tuned direction.
- Themes include the legal construction of “whiteness,” remembrance of the Armenian genocide, questions of assimilation, and current debates such as a potential new census category.
- The creative team features scenic designer Tatiana Kahvegian, costume designer Enver Chakartash, lighting by Stacey Derosier, and sound by Lee Kinney, with a principal cast including Raffi Barsoumian, Brill, Martin, Nael Nacer, Susan Pourfar, and Tamara Sevunts.