In his new play, “Palestine, New Mexico,” Richard Montoya deals with a journey from Afghanistan to an Indian reservation in the American West, but somehow loses his way. He addresses serious subjects like war, tolerance and identity but there is no cohesion, no clear focus.
A woman Army captain has undertaken the mission of bringing a letter from a fallen (American) Indian soldier to his father, chief of the “rez,” as the reservation is called. She is immediately met by an antagonistic looking bunch of rez residents none too eager to welcome an outsider. Among them are a tough hombre who calls himself “Bronson,” (joke) and a strangely dressed character who enters riding a bicycle.
Although frail-looking and exhausted, the captain tries to convince everyone that her soldier friend, named Birdsong, was not a traitor as some thought because he was kind to some Muslins in Afghanistan. Is kindness treason? On and on it goes, with the actors appearing and going through the routine of trying to persuade the others that Birdsong was or wasn’t guilty. It is unfortunate that Montoya, writing for Culture Clash, could not come to grips with the dramatic subject matter.
Much of the acting is weak and uncertain, starting with Kirsten Potter as Captain Catherine Siler. Trying to look tough, she holds her arms on her hips and spouts a sergeant-type vocabulary. The three members of Culture Clash, a Latino comedy troupe, appear in the play and know how to milk gags. Montoya himself plays Top Hat, with Ric Salinas as Bronson, and Herbert Siguenza as Farmer. Others in the cast are Russell Means as Birdsong’s father, Justin Rains as Birdsong’s ghost, as well as LaVonne Rae Andrews, Michelle Diaz, Julia Jones, Geraldine Keams, Brandon Oakes, Robert Owens-Greygrass and Kalani Queypo.
The staging, however, is spectacular, pointing up the eerie aspects of the play. The red hills of the desert serve as a backdrop for colored skies or bursting bombs. The scenic design is credited to Rachel Hauck, with the lighting and projection design credited to Alexander V. Nichols. Lisa Peterson has the daunting job of directing and does an excellent job.
Be warned. There is no intermission and Montoya is another one of those playwrights who feels he can #@%*& up the English language.