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Political theater: In the new musical, “No Brainer, or
the Solution to Parasites,” a social worker faces off
against a Trumpian villain who tells people of color to
“go back where they came from!” Jonathan Slaff
Freedom of leech
Musical parasite play spreads through Brooklyn
COURIER LIFE, AUG. 9-15, 2019 41
By Rose Adams This show is gonna be huge!
An extravagant musical theater
piece starring a city worker facing
off against a deranged, Trump-like
villain will take over Brooklyn’s streets
this summer, providing the public with
family-friendly — albeit dark — songs
and comedy. “No Brainer, or the Solution
to Parasites,” which will parade through
Coney Island, Sunset Park, and Bushwick
this month, features a blond businessman
who sips a stew made from the world’s
maladies in his quest for world domination.
After the crazed villain becomes
king, a New York City social worker
must defeat him to restore goodness to
the world.
The musical mixes dark themes with
fun, juvenile asides, said its creator.
“This year’s production is a combination
of Disney and a horror movie,”
said Crystal Field, who wrote the 75-minute
musical and co-founded Theater for
the New City, the Manhattan theater
company behind the production.
“No Brainer” marks the company’s
43rd annual traveling production. Every
summer, the troupe sends its transportable
stage to more than a dozen of the
city’s parks and roads, complete with
dazzling sets, a crew of up to 50 people,
and life-sized puppets — along with some
not-so-subtle political themes designed to
empower viewers, according to Field.
“We tell them they’re not alone,” she
said. “You have civic power, and you
have the power to organize.”
The troupe’s productions often star
middle-class city workers who defeat
capitalist supervillains. Many shows
have a clear message: instructing viewers
to vote, or telling undocumented audience
members what to do if ICE agents
knock on their door, Field said, and the
shows have happy endings.
“The neighborhood always wins,”
said Field.
However, “No Brainer” takes a darker
turn than most of the troupe’s other
productions. Rather than ending with
a triumphant hero and a happy song, it
closes just as the good guys prepare to
protest the fascist villain. According to
Field, the show’s more somber, uncertain
finale reflects the country’s tumultuous
political climate.
“We are living in a terrible, terrible
time,” she said. “People feel powerless.”
Nevertheless, the play tries to keep
things light and jovial with a range of
fun Bossa Nova, hip-hop, and classical
choir music performed by five live musicians
— and audiences have responded
positively. During its first performance
in the Bronx, more than 100 spectators
met the show with a hearty round of
applause, Field said.
“They blew us kisses,” she said.
“No Brainer, or the Solution to
Parasites” at the Coney Island Boardwalk
(at the Boardwalk and W. 10th Street in
Coney Island, www.theaterforthenewcity).
Aug. 16 at 6:30 p.m. Free.
At Maria Hernandez Park
(Knickerbocker Avenue and Starr Street in
Bushwick). Aug. 17 at 2 p.m.
At Sunset Park (at Sixth Avenue and
44th Street in Sunset Park). Aug. 24 at 2
p.m. Free.
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