This weekend in Umble Theater, the Goshen College Theater Department will present its fall mainstage production, Brooklyn Bridge by Melissa James Gibson. 

When Sasha, a fifth-grade latch-key kid, can’t locate a pen to write her due-tomorrow report on the Brooklyn Bridge, she musters the guts to defy her mother’s restrictions and leave their apartment for assistance. There, in front of the gorgeous bridge, she encounters a diverse group of neighbors, each unique in their own way but all sharing a profound good-heartedness. 

This lighthearted play celebrates the creation of things such as research papers, bridges and communities. Sasha discovers along the way that there are facts and then there is what’s important — and what’s important is what matters.

Sasha will be played by first-year theater and music double major Fatima Rhana. 

According to Rhana, she doesn’t have to try very hard to get into character: “I am very similar to Sasha in a lot of ways. She’s a first generation immigrant who struggles with procrastination, and I relate to that heavily.” 

Though, the age difference is lost on Rhana. 

“I don’t look like a ten year old and I know that, okay,” Rhana said. “Just accept the illusion.”

Despite relating to her character, she still has some qualms: “I love her so, so much, but I also think she can be very dramatic, which I am very much not.”

First year theater major Dontaye Albert will play Sam. 

Albert pointed out some of the themes of the play: “I was very impressed by all the different interpretations of the characters and set that still drive the message of community.”

He expressed that he did not know very much about the production before reading the script, but after doing so, he was inclined to do some research. 

Sophomore theater and sign language interpreting double major Sarah Bailey is the production’s stage manager. Involved with theater since middle school, Bailey offered a nuanced explanation of the process. 

“A lot of the early rehearsals were focused on understanding the characters. Focusing on the relationships between characters really guided the rehearsals throughout the rest of the process. From there, we were able to keep adding various technical elements, which has resulted in an amazing production,” Bailey said.

 

Mainstage: Brooklyn Bridge by Melissa James Gibson

Dates & Times: Saturday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 21 at 2:30 p.m.

Location: Umble Center, Goshen College

Cost: $10 General, $5 Seniors. Free for GC students and employees and all students 18 and under. For tickets, call or visit the GC Box Office at 574-535-7566 or visit goshen.edu/ticket. Tickets will also be available at the Umble Center beginning one hour before the show.