**** Recommended Steppenwolf Theatre’s new production, The Thanksgiving Play, is a biting satire about political correctness. In this story about an elementary school Thanksgiving play, political correctness has totally run amok. The characters are such earnest, self-righteous and self-congratulatory people that I absolutely hated them, yet I laughed at their antics. 3 ½ Spotlights
The Thanksgiving Play opens with an entertaining ditty, The Nine Days of Thanksgiving, set to the tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas, in which a man dressed as a pilgrim sings the above mentioned song while receiving gifts from people dressed as Indians – things like a pumpkin in a pumpkin patch, turkeys, cornucopias, even moccasins.
Logan (Audrey Francis), a drama teacher, is in charge of the annual Thanksgiving play for the local elementary school. She is determined that the program will be so culturally correct it won’t offend anyone. To that end, she even got a grant to hire a Native American actor.
Jaxton (Nate Santana), a surfer/street-corner performer, is her collaborator. He’s ready to get into the creative process, but he’s a teeny bit offended about that professional actor thing – since he thinks he’s a professional actor. Logan and Braxton, both proud of their own political correctness, spend a lot of time patting themselves on the back. They are not thrilled when Caden (Tim Hopper) announces that he’s joining the team to help with historical accuracy.
When professional actress Alicia (Paloma Nozicka) arrives, she asks for her script. She’s pretty shocked when Logan tells her there is no script because she wants the story to evolve organically. When Logan asks Alicia about her customs, she reveals that she’s not actually Native American, she just plays Native American. She’s not particularly interested in anything but acting.
As these four people try to work together, they stumble over school district rules, historical accuracy, cultural differences and privilege. Whenever someone comes up with an idea, someone else point out the problems with whatever it was. Their comments are snarky, sarcastic and cutting. When they divide into teams – the men in one area, the women in another – things get really messy – and that’s an understatement!
The Thanksgiving Play was written by Larissa FastHorse in 2015. It made its off-Broadway debut in 2018, then opened on Broadway in 2023. FastHorse is the first female Native American to have a play produced on Broadway. The Steppenwolf production is directed by Jess McLeod.
The Thanksgiving Play runs through May 12th in the Ensemble Theatre in Honor of Helen Zell, Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted Street, Chicago. Self-parking is available in the Steppenwolf Garage, accessible parking in the lot north of Front Bar. Valet parking is also available.
Running time is approximately 90 minutes, no intermission. Performances are Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 3:00 & 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3:00 pm. There will not be a performance on Tuesday, May 28th.
Accessible performances: Audio-described & touch tour, Sunday, May 26th at 3:00 pm (1:30 pm touch tour); Open-captioned, Thursday, May 16th at 7:30 pm and Saturday, June 1st at 3:00 pm; ASL-interpreted, Friday, May 24th at 7:30 pm.
Tickets range from $20-$86. FYI (312) 335-1650 or www.steppenwolf.org.